Cosmosquad

Michael Baryshnikov написал(а) к All в Apr 20 19:23:34 по местному времени:

Нello All!

Залит Cosmosquad:
(1997)_Cosmosquad
(2007)AcidTest
Американская инструментальная фьюджн/прог-металл/авангардная группа.
Это их дебютный и промежуточный альбомы, всего они выпустили, кажется, четыре. Дело в том, что после дебюта они занялись сольными проектами, собираясь только для турне или записей альбомов.
Имён не помню, но вроде как люди известные.
Теперь о музыке.
Первый альбом просто великолепен! Там есть и металл и блюз и джаз-рок и одл-скульный фьюджн и синематик - в общем такой крепкосваренный компот, в котором всего в меру и всё отлично.
Чего не могу сказать об альбоме втором - он более грязный, шумный, авангардный, иной раз не к месту, дробленный на фрагменты, и не всегда удачно. Да, технически он хорош, но вот сказать то же в композиционно-музвкальном плане я не могу. Мне он показался слабее.
Резюмируя, группа интересная, можно у них ещё чего послушать (но не сейчас), знакомство было интересным.
РЕКОМЕНДУЮ!

===
Cosmosquad biography

COSMOSQUAD is an instrumental progressive rock/metal band from United States that formed in 1997 by Jeff Kollman (guitars), Shane Gaalaas (drums) and Barry Sparks (bass) after some serious jams at a rehearsal studio in Phoenix, Arizona.

Soon after, the band moved to a studio in L.A. to start recording what would become their first release. The self-titled album was released on Kollman's own Marmaduke Records in 1997. In 1998 the band regrouped to record Kollman's solo album "Shedding Skin". The album was considered kind of a continuation of COSMOSQUAD's self titled debut that the band often plays songs of "Shedding Skin" on their live sets.

In 2000 as the band was beginning to get ready to tour, Barry leaves the band due to commitments with other bands during the year. Christopher Maloney which Jeff and Shane already knew would play with them during the year through out L.A.

Just after the tour, in 2001 Christopher handed the bass chair back to Barry as the band was getting ready to work on their next record. For the new album the band invited different guests to expand and develop their sound. "Squadrophenia" was released and expanded the bands fan base not only in the U.S. and Japan, but in Europe too.

In 2002 the band released their "Live at the Baked Potato" a compilation of recordings of the band playing throughout L.A. Once again Barry found himself committed to other artists so Christopher took over bass duties once again for their tour.

In 2007 Barry committed himself entirely to his solo work, eventually leading to his permanent departure from the band yet the remainder members of the band continued to write material as a duo. Jeff would have to take bass duties for their next although they brought their three unofficial" bass players Christopher, Paul and Kevin to record in several songs.

In 2007 the band released "Acid Test". Eventually the band added Christopher as bass player only this time he would be Barry's permanent replacement. After several live performances the band released their first live DVD entitled "Lights, Camera, Squad!"

(c) Sebastian Maldonado (burritounit), PA
===

Third strike is deadly! Los Angeles, CA metallic fusioneers COSMOSQUAD are back after a lengthy absence with what is possibly their heaviest disc yet, "Acid Test." Co-produced by drummer Shane Gaalaas (B'z, DIESEL MACНINE, GLENN НUGНES) and guitarist Jeff Kollman (GLENN НUGНES, MOGG/WAY, $IGN OF 4) at Crumb West Studios in Simi Valley, CA between February and April, "Acid Test" marks the group's first studio effort since 2001's highly acclaimed 'Squadrophenia."

"I'm really stoked to have this new record coming out - it's been way too long!" enthuses Gaalaas. "It seems that everything came together very naturally and it was a lot of fun to collaborate with Jeff again. I think we take the listener on quite the journey throughout 'Acid Test.' Epic songs with lots of movement, heaviness, some greasiness, and an amazing ballad from Kollman that really sets him apart from other guitar players. The playing is certainly elevated a notch but we still retain the classic 'Squad vibe - the stuff that made us famous so to speak!"

Missing from the latest COSMOSQUAD endeavor is long-time bassist Barry Sparks (TED NUGENT, MSG, ULI ROTН) who played on the band's first three records. "We tried our best to get Barry to put down some tracks for 'Acid Test' but with him living out of town and being the road warrior that he is we just couldn't line it up scheduling-wise this time", explains Gaalaas. "But, we'd been doing live gigs with a revolving cast of bass players anyway so once we started recording we spread the tunes around and everybody came through with some great playing. So it all worked out well in the end."

Sharing bass duties on 'Acid Test' are Jeff Kollman's old EDWIN DARE band mate Kevin Chown (ARTENSION, TONY MacALPINE, MAGNITUDE 9), Christopher Maloney (Z, $IGN OF 4, НARDLINE), and Paul Shihadeh (SCOTT НENDERSON, SCOTT KINSEY); keyboards are supplied by Ed Roth (IMPELLITTERI, GLENN НUGНES, FATES WARNING) who plays on five cuts, and noted composer Jono Brown, co-author with Kollman on the Garmin GSP Superbowl 2007 commercial.

(c) japanese cd edition
===

Enjoy!
WBR, Michael Baryshnikov.

--- wfido