In 2020 multi-instrumentalists Randy McStine (Porcupine Tree) and Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats) released two albums in quick succession. The first one showed a lot of promise and the follow-up pushed all the right prog buttons and then some. Since they both have a full agenda, finding some shared down time to go at it again was a challenge, but lo and behold, the rather unimaginatively titled III is here.
They came up with a balancing act of hard-hitting prog metal and pastoral pop, both of them with a busload of rhythmic shifts that demand (and deserve) and undivided attention. McStine has found his voice, a late 80s version of heavy rock phrasing that finds its way to late night classic rock radio, where DJs are allowed a bit of leeway to try something new. Minnemann's octopus-alike handling of his drum kit allows to channel Keith Moon and Neil Peart simultaneously. The uninitiated are lured in with accessible intros and easy-on-the-ears melodies, only to find themselves lost in a maze of dazzling musicianship.
III is a self-released album (CD, digital). Buy it from their website.
Tracks:- Over The Bay
- Survive
- Tigress
- Your Own Decisions
- Crossing Wires
- This Time
- Lines Around You
- Riding on Clouds
- Green
- Free
- The Unmanned Flight
» McStine & Minnemann on Facebook
HCTF review of II
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