Caligula's Horse "Rise Radiant"

Hello again fellow progheads!  The Closet Concert Arena continues its journey through the prog garden with a stop in Australia this week.  A band I visited a while ago and have had on my radar ever since, Caligula's Horse, recently released "Rise Radiant," the fifth album in their catalog and third on the Inside Out Music label.  I enjoy catching up with bands that have expanded their acreage in the prog garden, so let the journey begin...

"The Tempest" opens things up with a quick energy shot; the needle approaches red as soon as the curtain is lifted.   Heavy guitar wraps itself around the lining of your skull as drums work like bumpers, allowing the keyboards to bounce around the perimeter and all the while the guitar holds everything in its grasp.  There are top notes of Dream Theater and Spock's Beard running through the music; the high energy and color explosions that hit the canvas keep the adrenaline going...

Next up is "Autumn."  With this song you can (almost) forget everything I just said about Caligula's Horse blowing the doors off the barn--this song is the newborn colt stumbling to stand on matchstick legs while mom watches, ready to break the fall.  There are subtle top notes of Steely Dan and I am reminded of Fire on Dawson as well.  The soft overtones of this song complement the band's ability to roam the entire prog garden  expanding their sound and pushing the envelope.  The vocals are rough silk; smooth with a deceptively frayed edge.

Liner Notes...calling Brisbane, Australia home, Caligula's Horse is Jim Grey on vocals, Sam Vallen on lead guitar, Adrian Goleby on guitar, Dale Prinsse on bass, and Josh Griffin on drums.  With four albums on their resume prior to the release of "Rise Radiant," Caligula's Horse has established themselves firmly within the contemporary metal section of the prog garden.

This album explores the human experience--no blinders here; nothing one dimensional or limiting the view.  And much like the human experience, "Rise Radiant" strikes deep, skims the surface, explodes across the canvas with a boldness that can be blinding, and then looks through an introspective lens that is reticent and reserved.  Yes, Caligula's Horse has been busy traversing the prog garden gaining valuable insight.

Learn  more about Caligula's Horse at Facebook  and purchase the album at Inside Out.  You can also follow them on Twitter @CaligulasHorse and Instagram caligulashorse.

Finally this week I piped "Dream the Dead" through my headphones.  The immediate head rush came full tilt; Caligula's Horse is very adept at thumping the perimeter of your skull to prepare you for the music onslaught that is about to invade the premises.  But this song goes one better; it leads you on a journey through darkness punctuated with bright strobe lights your mind races to follow.

Top notes of Opeth run rampant across the canvas until the song takes a reflective tangent and hooks you with a touch of The Mute Gods.  The drums and guitar are ornate while the music as a whole rides the mood elevator up and down your spine...a most invigorating feeling...

For your ear candy this week I chose "Slow Violence."  The song comes at you like the title suggests; slow and deliberate with the intention of leaving you changed for the experience.  There are faint top notes of Transatlantic flowing through this piece, as if the urge to break out and let loose is pulsating in Sam's temple.  The restraint does the song justice as Jim picks up the vibe and carries it through strong vocals.  I am reminded of Between the Buried and Me musically; the unity is evident and everyone builds off the others' energy.

Start the day with a bit of high velocity...

                    

And that, fellow progheads, puts one more week of the dystopian world of 2020 in the record books.  Seems the best, and possibly safest, place to spend time these days is in the prog garden.  Luckily there is quite a bountiful harvest just waiting for you.  So enjoy Caligula's Horse and sit back and enjoy the rest of the journey.  The search for all things prog continues...until next time...