Gregorian Rock 2

Hello again fellow progheads!  Traveling to and from London last week in my search for all things prog certainly gave me time to think--and what a crazy process that tends to be.  Because my thoughts tend to wander down the "all things prog" path, this week's leg of the journey took me back to the states--Texas to be more exact.  Once again I have been asked to review a CD  as it is about to be released, a privilege I take seriously and absolutely enjoy.  With that intro, I welcome you to the distinct sound of Gregorian Rock and their second release, "Gregorian Rock 2."

                               

It was  a little over a year ago I discovered a sound emanating from San Antonio that was truly unique ...atypical to say the least.  Describing Gregorian Rock as different is akin to describing the Indian Ocean as big--the adjective just does not suffice.  Having been a fan of Gregorian Rock ever since my first taste, I am quite pleased to announce that the second release from Roland Dale Benedict, "Gregorian Rock 2," is being released May 2nd.  I can think of no better way to get this review started than to simply immerse myself in the music...please join me for a stroll through the majestic section of the prog garden...

The disc opens with "Deus Lux."  The piano is as smooth as silk sheets in a four star hotel...and leads seamlessly to the vocal chant.  Gregorian Rock is able to fill the room with sound that seems to emanate from the ceiling, walls, and floor...so full, balanced, and enriching.  The time changes, tempo, rhythm...everything is so perfectly connected you'd swear the headphones and your ears are one.  The chant/vocals slice through the wall of music with the precision of a surgeon's scalpel.  Time to get my monk hood and some candles; this is putting me in a mood...

Moving deeper into the disc--all the way to track three, I find a gem titled "I Call You Friend."  A celestial-like opening brings you through a dark veil slowly penetrated by light.  Keyboards echo quietly behind deep, rich vocals.  Suddenly the organ punches through and a burst of radiance and hope fills the room.  The chant has an intensity that reaches out and touches your soul; extremely moving piece.

Liner Notes...Gregorian Rock is the brain child of the aforementioned Roland Dale Benedict.  In addition to vocals, Dale plays keyboards, electronic wind instrument, and chapman stick.  Joining Dale are Scott McCullor on vocals and percussion, Jay Pilkington on guitar, drum programming, and bass, Pat Neil on guitar, Ramon "Suro" Lopez on drums, and Raul Reyes on bass.  When I interviewed Dale last October, I learned the members of Gregorian Rock are splayed across three separate states, with Dale residing in San Antonio, Texas.  He describes Gregorian Rock as "...music I want to listen to...music nobody else was playing..."  Heart and desire, blended with just the right touch of talent, can produce magnificence...

Gregorian Rock is deceptive...they come at you full force, but in such a soft and subtle manner you feel embraced rather than attacked.  The music is tighter than skinny jeans on Robert Fripp--and much easier on the eyes and mind.  With everything being recorded in three states and mixed later, that is a remarkable feat.  I have been listening to "Gregorian Rock 2" for a few weeks and while there are some slight parallels with other bands, Dale truly has created an exclusive sound tilling previously virgin soil in the prog garden.

Serving number three is an instrumental piece called "The Good Guys Win."  An opening as crisp as the first fallen leaves of autumn, this song wraps itself around your head from the outside and slowly permeates the cranium...the friendly top notes of the keyboard belie a strong drum and bass foundation that keep the entire thing buoyant and balanced.  The soft fade out is but a smooth transition to cut number eight, a bolder song called...

"The Battle."  This one hits you head on; strong drums and wild keyboards are surrounded by a vocal chant that pokes and jabs from all directions.  The song creates a tension with strong guitar work building to a crescendo that reigns down like so much confetti at a victory celebration...evidently the good guys won this battle.  Enjoy the celebratory instrumental avalanche that wraps the piece up...

Because this is a review for a disc about to be released, I do not have a clip to post this week. However; do your music collection the honor of adding "Gregorian Rock 2" to the family...a decision for which you need not be repentant.  Learn more about Gregorian Rock now and purchase the new release May 2nd at http://gregorianrock.com/index.html.  The band's first release, "Gregorian Rock," is also available.  Follow Gregorian Rock on Twitter @cantusnovus  and of course Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/gregorianrockband?_rdr.  Dale also has a YouTube channel that he will (hopefully) be expanding soon https://www.youtube.com/user/GregorianRock

OK fellow progheads, one more song to savor via the written word in anticipation of the Saturday live release...the closing track on the disc, "As Water Reflects."  Every tune recorded here seems but a stepping stone to the finale; a full bodied, deep, rich song that brings the musicians and their craft together in beautiful harmony.  The mood cascades across the entire spectrum; (almost) dark, somber, insightful, joyous, tempered, and thought-provoking.  A marvelous balance of all the things that set Gregorian Rock apart.  Gregorian Rock 2 is a disc you absolutely want to have in your collection. Play it once just to get it onto your skin, like a soothing salve after a day at the beach.  Play it repeatedly to allow it to seep into your pores and penetrate into your bloodstream...

Another first for the Concert Closet--a mid-week blog revision.  I just received a link to a video for Gregorian Rock 2.  Posted here is "Deus Lux" for your listening pleasure.  This will whet your appetite for the full course Gregorian Rock serves up on the disc...please to enjoy...

Like a roller coaster ride at Coney Island, April has come to an abrupt finish --in most dramatic fashion.  Four months have fallen off the calendar and the Concert Closet is just getting revved up. Gregorian Rock raised the bar in my search for all things prog, and it is time to reload, refuel, and light the fuse...until next week...