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Progressive Rock CD Reviews

Xanthan

Succubus Swing

Review by Gary Hill

While some of this is purely instrumental, there are tracks with vocals. This is a short set, running just about 21 minutes. This is not traditional progressive rock, but it's decidedly experimental rock. It's also very classy stuff. It's heavy and crazed, and the bass is really a major factor to this music. If you come looking for old-school prog, you are likely to feel alienated or lost, but if you are interested in new and challenging sounds, this is probably something you'll enjoy.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2022  Volume 4. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2022.

Track by Track Review
HYBYC
The bass starts this. The cut drives outward feeling a bit like Primus, but it's in some ways heavier. As the song continues those elements are merged with things ranging from fusion to alternative rock and more. This is heavy, dark and very proggy.
1934
With lots of rock and roll, crazed bass work and more of that fusion element on the menu, this is another unique and potent track.
Colliskeions: 23
I love the rather metallic concepts on this song. The number is frantic, twisting and turning. There are things here that feel related to King Crimson, but other moments make me think of Black Sabbath. Yet, this twists and turns and even gets into some thrashy zones at points. This thing just keeps changing and reinventing itself. It's inventive and potent. I dig the mellower movement later that serves as the closing. It really brings a different dimension.
Bump of Excellence
This comes in with a sedate and rather intricate section. It works out from there to sort of a fusion meets King's X jam. King Crimson seems to merge with heavy metal on later sections. The cut keeps evolving and growing.
Ms. Haan (On the Gym Floor)
Sound effects type stuff bring this into being. The cut begins to work out from there without really climbing upward. It's more along the lines of ambient weirdness.
In Killeen
Drums start this. and the cut grows outward into a lot of cool zones. There are many of the same elements we've heard throughout, but in different configurations. I can make out things like King Crimson, Tool and more along with fusion music and other concepts. This is creative, challenging and yet so cool.
  
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