Progoctopus

Hello fellow progheads!  Thanks for coming back; my beach time has come to an end and I am diligently searching for all things prog.  Feeling all refreshed and having a little extra oomph in my giddyup , I thought I would start the second half of 2015 with a band that meets similar criteria--gotta be something fresh and alive. Having spent the previous fortnight enjoying the Atlantic Ocean along the New England coast, I decided to take the Concert Closet to (where else?) England hoping to unearth a band with high energy, haunting vocals, and the ability to fill the headphones with a full, vibrant sound. Thus I find myself in Birmingham filling my ears with the raucous musings of Progoctopus...

Progoctopus defines their music as "...infectious and melodic prog rock/metal..."  Having been away for fourteen days--an eternity in the prog blogosphere--this simple intro has whet my appetite for a full dose...so let's delay no longer as we step with a bit of a ravenous appetite to the prog buffet...

The initial serving placed on the platter is song called "Transcendence."  I am letting the laser continue through parts one and two for the sake of both this blog and my personal listening pleasure. The music opens with a 70's talk show feel...you are teased with a vocal ditty that bleeds straight into a rambunctious onslaught of guitars and drums bouncing freely around the perimeter of your inner skull.  However; the hammer blows are somewhat pulled--there is no "death smack" here...just a continuous series of roundhouses.  The mood hops around quickly too...top notes of Transatlantic melt into A Formal Horse vibe blending itself with some Amoenus.  Progoctopus manages to bounce around inside your cranium causing just enough mayhem to make you want more.  Ahhh, it's great to be back at the search for all things prog!

Round two is a more thought provoking piece called "Like Stone."  The acoustic guitar that peels back the initial layer fades into vocals floating across a tranquil landscape.  Progoctopus travels a road more akin to Under the Psycamore and Autumn Moonlight this time around. Starting to make a mental connection with the name of the band and the many facets of their music...take your time, I'll wait...feel the grasp now?

Liner Notes...Progoctopus roams the aforementioned Birmingham, England and is comprised of Jane Gillard on lead vocals, Alistair Bell on guitar, piano, and vocals, Samuel C.Roberts on bass, and Tim Wilson on drums, pads, and vocals.  The band formed some time around November 2014 and released their initial EP, "Transcendence" this past May.  One listen will have you checking your math skills; just three songs...really?!  Progoctopus has a sound that is difficult to hang on a single hook as they meander through several sections of the prog garden; metal, jazz fusion, neo-progressive, and a splash of art rock.  Progoctopus is a band that feels comfortable in its own skin so to speak...all the while still growing into it.

My final selection coincides with the final offering Progoctopus has on the EP; a bumpy ride of a tune called "Carousel."  For those looking for that symphonic/electric/slide down the rabbit hole groove...look no further.  A little rapid-fire guitar work encased in biting vocals never hurt either...
Progoctopus seems to enjoy romping through the prog garden leaving their mark and gathering strength and energy.  Progoctopus is a band on the move...remember when Dick Clark used to say, "Number four with a bullet!"?

For your auditory pleasure this week, I bring to you a prog buffet sampling of your own; an EP preview.  Progoctopus lays it all out for you the listener; go ahead and pop the hood, kick the tires, check out the interior--and for gosh sakes soak in that new prog smell!   Learn more about Progoctopus at http://progoctopus.com/ and https://soundcloud.com/progoctopus.  Make your purchase at http://progoctopus.bandcamp.com/releases.  As is the norm in these social media times, Progoctopus can be followed on Twitter @progoctopusuk  and the ever popular Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/progoctopus

Once again I thank you fellow progheads for coming back to the Concert Closet; I believe  the wait was well worth it and hope you agree.  Progoctopus represents yet another cross-section of what is proving to be a crowded, changing landscape in the prog garden.  The standard bearers will always be there; King Crimson, Yes, Rush, Porcupine Tree, Camel, et al have proven time again progressive rock is a living, evolving thing.  Bands like Progoctopus move into the garden, take root, and build on that life source. We the listeners discern for ourselves what moves and motivates us.  Just one more reason to relish all that is prog rock and continue the search for all things prog...until next week...