From: "Andrew J. Rozsa"
I started writing this as I was listening to "Phoenix Rising." I have no idea
how classify the style, since I just don't understand classifications.
"Phoenix" is POWERFUL! This formation is comprised of: Vitalij Kuprij
(keyboards), Mike Terrana (drums), Roger Staffelbach (guitar), Kevin Chown
(bass - he left he group in 1998), and John West (vocals). Kevin on his Web
page says: "I think one of the more accurate descriptions of the band's sound
is "Deep Purple on steroids".... " Don't know Deep Purple, but this album is
giving me goose pimples as I am listening to it. By all accounts it should
turn me off, since all tracks have vocals on them and even those (anathema!)
synth-choir vocals, but I have been totally taken by this album. In parts
it's sheer Kuprij wizardry, in other parts it's just gorgeous, almost
melancholic, tunemanship. A couple of the tunes will break your heart, they
are so beautiful. And John West has a wonderful voice...just terrific...
mellow if he needs be, polished, like a well-trained singer, yet he can growl
or go as high as the best rock singers I have ever liked. I have changed my
mind about singers and rock!
Yes, it is a keyboard driven band, as one would expect, but on "Phoenix" all
the players are brought to the front not only to show us their instrumental
virtuosity (which is considerable), but also to bare their souls. The bass
will rattle your teeth, the guitar will make you cry, the drums will make you
stomp your feet, the singer will enchant you. These guys are absolutely
superb. And the last track, a tour de force by Vitalij on the piano will make
you smile and say with satisfaction: "Oh, yeah!!" Somebody please tell me
whether this is ProgRock or just plain GOOD rock. :-)). Some bloke, on the
Web, classifies Artension with Metal bands. So be it. Moreover, if this is
Metal, I am suddenly a Metal fan. :-) I am now listening to "Into the Eye of
the Storm" and I can say that it is also VERY good. Seems more
keyboard-driven, although all the instruments are clearly there for you to
enjoy. It has a bit more of a raw feel to it (it was their first, having come
out in 1996), but the excellence of the players is evident. Excellent, but
clearly by the time "Phoenix" came out the next year, the guys have learned a
thing or two. I wish I had listened to "Storm" first and "Phoenix" next.
"Storm" is excellent...but "Phoenix" is INCREDIBLE!
Artension's 1999 release (which I will buy as soon as I am done with this
post), "Forces Of Nature" has Vitalij Kuprij (Piano & keyboards), John West
(Vocals), Shane Gaalaas (Drums), Roger Staffelbach (Lead & rhythm guitars),
and John Onder (Bass). It' s almost scary to think that they may have
improved since their last ("Phoenix"). Stay tuned. All the albums are
available from Shrapnel's site
http://www2.shrapnelrecords.com/Shrapnel/ or from your regular CD purveyor. CD Universe has them all for
$13.57 a piece, which is less than Shrapnel's $16.00. Go figure. :-)