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RECORDING INFORMATION |
Unicorn Records (UNCR-5042O)
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ProgNaut
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Published on: 24 Aug 2007
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Ghostland
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Published on: 19 Jul 2007
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MJBrady
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Published on: 19 May 2007
With a third of the year 2007 behind us, many great recordings have come along my way, and none more refreshing than this release on Unicorn Digital by this upstart Russian band with a most unusual name The Gourishankar, which apparently translates into something about being from a region between Asia and Europe along the Ural mountains, I am sure there is more about the definition of that band name I am not aware of, but let me start by saying, this is one very good cd from start to finish, it is unique, yet familiar, it has a range of musical influences that include equally present facets of progressive rock, symphonic, jazz rock fusion, even some hints of progressive metal, never too much of one or the other, yet all these are integrated into The Gourishankars' own original sound.
It's a rare occasion when a band defies being typecasted or following in some kind of expected formula emulating some other 'known' progressive artists, yet that is why this cd seems to be having this impact on my aural senses. Consisting of the standard guitar, keys, bass, drums and vocal line-up, this band has a peculiar style as to how they utilize their instrumentations. Keyboards are typically synth based, with a psychedelic and advanced techno vibe, they are cleverly mixed in with intricate guitar and drums arrangements, never finding the groove but working around it with the much approved odd time signatures and manic progressive changes. This is the kind of music that people in the progressive community should be excited to hear, not only because the musicians are good, and the sound is inventive, but it's just an overall good vibe that is coming from The Gourishankars sound. They do feature vocals as well, which like their music are delivered in a unique manner, yet not abstract or odd, just unique. The singer has a bit of a higher pitch voice, maybe a little like the singer from the Swedish band ACT.
The band takes ample time to allow for their instrumental exploits, never overplaying or taking mindless solos, everything is in a written fashion, very concise and well versed. They also feature violin from time to time, and that is when they remind me somewhat of the Japanese band KBB, or even a hint of Kansas, just a hint in the tone of the violin. But what a nice cd, you really get to hear a lot of ear candy on this, if it's not the elaborate headspace created by the keyboardist, the dreamy vocals, or the more intense and intricate heavy sections, the band really persues new avenues of progressive rock, without being derivative. This reinventing of the genre can often result in mixed opinions from the highly opinionated prog community, but here is one example of a band doing that very thing without alienating the oldest and even hardest to please fans of the genre.
At this writing, each passing of this cd seems to make more and more a positive impression on me, and I feel my musings are not enough to convey the true brilliance of this cd, yet it is my sincere wish that progressive rock fans of all walks take the time to hear this cd in it's entirety. Check them out at their myspace site, or at the bands' website, they are the real deal.
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| TRACKS |
CREDITS
(click to view performer credits) |
PROGGNOSIS SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY
(click to view Release Page) |
- moon7 (11:10)
- endless drama (7:45)
- queer forest (6:30)
- taste a cake (1:47)
- the inexpressible chagrin (6:54)
- syx (11:08)
- ...end (8:40)
- marvelous choice (18:16)
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ProGGnosis - Progressive Rock & Fusion
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