It's a very healthy scene at the moment for melodic rock, and it always helps a release when the band
in question have "pedigree". In the case of Vox Tempus, they have Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth, Joe Satriani)
guesting on drums, and three band members were in a band called Equinox back in 1997 who achieved some success with
the album 'Color Of The Time'. Keyboard player Eric Ragno also played on the third Takara album 'Blind In Paradise'.
This three track sampler bodes well, a superb opener brings to mind Threshold with a touch of Toto which is no bad thing.
Vocalist Dan Reed (no relation) is excellent, and the backing he gets is well on-the-money.
Apparently these early tracks come out of an aborted session for a first band album. The first 'For Every Life' was written in part as a tribute to
Great White guitarist Ty Longley. 'Revelations' also cracks along at a fair pace and what lifts this out of the genre are
- again - the strong vocals, the contemporary samplings, the intricate time changes, and the superb guitar and keyboard harmonies.
Third track 'What About' introduces a welcome slice of prog metal guitar, and superb orchestration courtesy of Ragno.
Shades of Saga, Fate's Warning...Queensryche? A portent of a wonderful album to come? Bring it on!
***** Out of this world | **** Pretty
damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly
