When you’ve got a line up that is based on just three instrumentalists - Stephanie Shogren: violin, Lucas Shogren: cello and Derek Powers: drums/percussion – it would be easy to assume this was some kind of classical outfit. Well, there’s a lot of classical in the mix, so that comes close. There is also a real rock edge to this. The combination of sounds lands this somewhere in the progressive rock vicinity – although this isn’t old school prog, by any means. It really rocks and manages to groove a lot of the time, despite the classical music construction. Whatever you call it, though, I love this set.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2014  Volume 5 at lulu.com/strangesound.

This piece has a lot of energy and a lot of classical music built into it. In fact, the opening section is purely classical, but it moves toward more rocking elements later. This is a great instrumental composition featuring classical strings in a stirring arrangement.

Starting with some very “sad” tones, this is a lot more of a mainstream rock piece. That said, it’s still instrumental and classical in nature. It gets into a more triumphant sounding movement mid-track.

More energized, classically inspired rocking sounds are heard here. As you might guess, this has both a bit of a Latin vibe and a tango element.

Although the instrumentation is purely classical, this is very much a progressive rock piece. There is even a section that reminds me of a Rush song. This is a powerful piece and a great choice to close the set.