sorrow and promise
| Format | CD |
| Country | USA |
| Recorded | 2000-2001 |
| Issued | 2001 |
| Label | Divine In Sight Music |
| Cat no. | DIS 1001 CD |
| Playing time | 74:21 |
| Reviewer | Johan Dalsrud |
| DIVINE IN SIGHT sorrow and promise |
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Well, how many can actually say they know the genre "spiritual progressive art rock"? I don't, anyway, at least not until this Christian prog band issued their debut project and sent a copy to Tarkus Magazine. This trio comprising guitar, bass and drums, wished to give the music buying audience an alternative to the Christian popular music, something they have succeeded with. Containing three tracks with a total playing time of 74 minutes (divided into subtitles, as progressive compositions normally are), this album is somewhat different to what I normally connect with Christian music.
In addition, the band wants their music to catch on in the progressive environment independent of spiritual interests or preferences.
Guitarist and vocalist Bartholomew Boge sings in a rather high pitched voice, not unlike Geddy Lee of Rush or Dane Stevens of Druid. Jonathan Dexter plays bass, keyboards and bass pedals (Geddy Lee again?), while Frank Ralls deals with everything percussive.
Both line-up and musical style has, as you may have understood, a lot to do with Rush, I think. From the prominent bass playing to the guitar runs, choice of tone and notes reminding me of Alex Lifeson. They have given priority to dynamics and varying parts in the songs, especially in the long title track. This track gives a lot of space to all the instruments, and with a trio, not too much is happening at the same time. Usually, only bass, guitar and drums are used. Keyboards are used sparingly in the long instrumental parts. I could have wished for a bit more punch in the vocals, it feels a bit too mild and kind at times.
The whole project is designed and drawn by Boge himself, and he has really succeeded in giving the record a professional expression, even if the printed cover does not do him justice. Divine In Sight has produced and mixed the CD themselves, and additionally, it has been released on their own label.
This CD is recommended to those who have a foot firmly planted in the Rush style of music, but also to listeners of symphonic and classical progressive rock in the Genesis/Kansas genre. At times this album is very good, and probably the best "spiritual art rock" I have become acquainted with.
© 2002 Tarkus Magazine