Space journeys and or spacey sounds are served up on these three releases.
Prateek Rajagopal plays guitar, sings and writes the music here along with drummer Wojtek Deregowski and bassist Colin Edwin. The fives songs on this ep mix thick textures and grooves, with an Indian chant on the throbbing and wondrous “Write Across” and a techno pulse and hip hop vocals on the big and dramatic “Escape Orb.” Whirling rock beats and guitars abound on the title track and electronic echoes akin to Kraftwerk ooze through “Part 2.” What time is the launching?
Vocalist Farhad Hossain plays guitars as well as keyboards, teaming up with Jose Mora/b, Tyuler Kim/g and Tanvir Tomal/dr for a series of originals that mix head banging metal with Pink Floyd atmosphere’s. The acoustic “Central Station” and electrically thick “Fear Is” bring hints of early Floyd circa “Meddle” to the fore, while heavy and thunderous guitars and drums pound away on “Prove Yourself” and a Guns N Roses rock swaggers on “Go.” There are also a couple pretty moments, as with the dreamy “Sensus Divinitatus,” the tender keys and a mix of melodies an the cosmic 15 minute journey of a title track. What space station are they landing on?
Ambitiously stating that “this (album) is for all of you true music fans out there who have been waiting for something deeper,” guitarist, writer and leader Darwin bring along the adventurous team on Simon Phillips/dr-key, Matt Bissonette/b, Greg Howe/g and various guests to explore strange new worlds, going well no man has gone before on this 2 disc adventure into space and BEYOND!
Some times sounding like Rush on the hard hitting pieces like “For Humanity” “War Against My Mind” and “Modern Insanity” at other times you feel you’re taking in a Sting album on the sophisticated “Gummy Bear” (which includes vocal harmonies a la The Four Freshmen) and “Forever.” Many of the songs are introduced by female computer-like voices that make you feel you’re either on the Starship Enterprise or in line for Space Mountain as you’re about to embark on a journey. Messages about “feel your energy” meld with dramatic backgrounds on “Taking Chances” in order to find a planet, or return to earth to save it. The seriousness of the message mixes with Ritchie Blackmore Rainbow riffs on “Life Is A Misery” and “Modern Insanity” to satisfy both Global Warmists and head bangers. Help stop continental drift!!!