| Musical Style: Progressive Rock | Produced By: Doug Bowers |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2026 | Artist Website: EchoVerse |
| Tracks: 7 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 52:12 |
EchoVerse is what progressive rock dreams are made of. With its technically sophisticated and elaborate sound, the group emphasizes lengthy songwriting in which individual cuts commonly extend into epic territory and labyrinthine time and tempo changes not to mention extensive instrumental interludes to go in hand. EchoVerse proves equally adept at interfusing within the same song manifold musical forms including but not limited to classic rock, jazz-fusion, classical music and ballad-like AOR.
All the above and more define the August of 2024 independent (and 90% Angelic Warlord reviewed) EchoVerse debut full length Whispers Between Worlds. On its March of 2026 sophomore effort Fall Towards The Sky (also independent), EchoVerse stays true to a similar progressive format but with several key changes. First, the group backs from any previous ‘mega epic’ proclivity - noting thirty-one minute Whispers Between Worlds track “The War Within” - while retaining the lengthy songwriting basis, noting how Fall Towards The Sky features seven songs but over 50 minutes of music. Second, Fall Towards The Sky sees EchoVerse flexing its muscles and occasionally upping heaviness to the point of hard rock and lends a new dimension to its sound in the process.
What has not changed is how EchoVerse remains ‘a progressive rock band with a strong Christian influence that focuses on exploring the deeper realms of truth and the divine’ (quoting its press material). Thematically, the group’s music ‘dives deep into significant questions of faith, existence, and the human condition- songs aren't just pieces of music, they are stories told in an expansive musical language that draws the listener into the narrative’ (also its press material). Musically, EchoVerse continues to ‘draw upon the influence of Spock’s Beard, Rush and Dream Theater’, albeit I might add Kansas, Shadow Gallery and Neal Morse to the list.
Fall Towards The Sky opens to debut single “Radical Rebirth”. Song might be albums shortest at five and half minutes but also proves one of its best, with a balanced mix of agile guitar, Hammond B3 and commanding bass of founding member and vocalist and keyboards Doug Bowers (KDB3) building upon the high spirited scene. The catchy temper throughout lends to potential radio play. Lyric snippet:
Crystallized cities in the clouds
Forever home right here right now
This day, all has been made known
There’s no more death and no disease
Sadness is all but a memory
It is finished, over, now it’s done
A new heaven, a new earth
No more deception, break the curse
A new heaven, a new earth
We’ll come together, it’s radical rebirth
Six minute “Philosophy Abounds” follows. It opens to a minute long jam-fusion instrumental run highlighting the jazzy leads of guitarist and co-founding member Rob Perez (Visual Cliff). Moving forward song alters between ethereal tinted verse sections with wave like guitar and venturesome refrain bursting of impactful authority. Organ leads the way through an instrumental interlude punctuated by spicy guitar leads.
EchoVerse puts its progressive side on display for Exodus inspired seven-minute subsequent cut “10 Plagues”. Opening to a quote from the classic film The Ten Commandments - ‘it would take more than a man to lead the slaves from bondage, it would take a God’ - song seamlessly flows its span, exuding a marked melody weaving between resounding mid-paced moments emanating of striking guitar and others lively to piano with a bluesy rock ‘n’ roll feel. Perhaps it is the dramatic nature to the subject matter, but front man Kyle Graves shines with his at times smoothly mid-ranged and others classic tenor vocal form hinting of Phil Keaggy. Lyric snippet:
Slaves no longer
You’ll see what He will do if you defy Him
No you don’t own us
We’ll fight against your oppression & our God will surely lead the way
He’ll break our bonds
He’ll take your sight, launch rivers of blood & release the plagues on Egypt
Will you, Get up, don’t walk today
Won’t you, Get out, just run away
Will you, Get up, let us leave this place
Won’t you, Get out, or you’ll see His plagues
Nine and half-minute “The Serpent & The Schism” represents one of albums lengthiest and finest. First three and half minutes drift between atmospheric passages with ambient keyboards and those charging to hard rocking guitar that morphs to narration from 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Moving forward song again exudes variations while giving prominence to high-end melody, with silky smooth undulating of a reticent ballad like form switching between intense borderline metal guitars cascading in and out of the mix- back and forth and back again. Instrumentally, lightning like soloing gives way to Gregorian chanting in Latin. I detect a strong Shadow Gallery influence.
The lengthy inclining continues with eight-minute “Gold Bars”. Temptation is to label it an ‘acoustic ballad’, but that might be an oversimplification in that there is much more going on musically. Yes, the song is generously acoustic with lighter moments innate to orchestration and jazzy bass and those heavier empowered by heavy rocking guitar and dramatic keyboards- all the while placing emphasis on warmly enriched melody. As with great progressive music, it fills out its epic length in not growing weary with repeat play. Lyric snippet:
Now I believe no one can take away
All of this treasure I’ve built for myself
This prison that surrounds me
Gold bars I have made
From the abundance of my wealth
I’ve gained it all
But lost my self
I am, I am always wanting
I am always wanting more
But I can see now
It will never be enough…
Album peaks with its two-part ten minute title track. First comes in form of a luxuriant ballad, contemplative in purposely drifting to graceful piano and exquisite vocal melodies as Graves shines with his soaring and richly textured delivery. Second reveals a hard rocking edge, elevated to an enterprising tempo as radiant harmonies and muscular riffs dance over highlighting organ to set a high-energy tone. Centerpiece is the hard charging but catchy refrain that refuses to depart- again, despite the span not a shred of repetition.
Bonus track “Here Today, Then A Mist” closes things. A modest six minutes, it revisits a calm and relaxed form with a reticent tempo as classical bass and pompous melody (in positive sense) allow a regal almost medieval flair. Lyric snippet:
Will it be over soon, I need to get in tune
This is my one chance to live for today
Lots to do, I make my list
Here today, then a mist
With all that’s before me I’m seizing the day
I know this all may be gone in the morning light, away
Can it be, Will I see, Gotta be, Always free
Striving for one thing: I’ll live for today
Progressive rock aficionados in addition to those with an affinity for progressive music on the heavier side, will find a lot to line in EchoVerse sophomore album Fall Towards The Sky. Abundant musicianship shines and not just Bowers (keyboards and bass) and Perez (guitars) but also the dynamic timekeeping of Fagala. Graves provides equal support vocally. Production is more than up to progressive rock standards. Only thing I might mention is I wish the album included at least one to two additional songs to push it into 60-minute territory- how about a lengthy instrumental or another hard rocking piece to round out the track listing. Still, if a fan of all things progressive not to mention debut Whispers Between Worlds, I cannot help but give Fall Towards The Sky the strongest recommendation.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Radical Rebirth” (5:38) “Philosophy Abounds” (6:08), “10 Plagues” (6:49), “The Serpent & The Schism” (9:33), “Gold Bars” (8:00), “Fall Towards The Sky” (9:55), “Here Today, Then A Mist” (6:09)
Musicians
Kyle ‘KG’ Graves - Lead Vocals
Rob Perez - Rhythm & Lead Guitars
Doug Bowers - Keyboards, Bass, Guitars &Vocals
Kyle Fagala - Drums & Background Vocals
