| Musical Style: Progressive Rock | Produced By: Kinetic Element |
| Record Label: Melodic Revolution | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2019 | Artist Website: Kinetic Element |
| Tracks: 8 | Rating: 75% |
| Running Time: 49:46 |
What does a band that combines over its first two albums 12 songs and 143 minutes of music - that equates to just under 12 minutes per song for those keeping track - do for an encore? It records a third album to feature five songs and 50 minutes of music, which breaks down to a not quite as protracted but still lengthy 10 minutes per song. For those still wondering, this adds up to a career track length rating (CTLR, a new statistic I just made up) in which each song averages a whopping 11 minutes!
Enter Kinetic Element, the brainchild of Richmond, Virginia based multi-keyboardist Mike Visaggio, whom just released said third album entitled The Face Of Life in February of 2019 via Melodic Revolution Records. Ahead of that the talented five piece, to also include vocalists Saint John Coleman, guitarist Peter Matuchniak, bassist Mark Tupko and drummer Michael Murray, put out its independent debut full length Powered By Light in 2009 and sophomore outing Travelog six years later (also Melodic Revolution).
If you have not already guessed - both album length and track times give it away - but Kinetic Element plays symphonic progressive rock influenced strongly by the usual ‘suspects’: Yes, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Genesis, Asia, Kansas and the like. When factoring the unmistakable talents of Visaggio, it is progressive rock with a heavy keyboard slant, although the group emphasizes guitars to the extent those into heavier forms of music should not feel out of place. Philosophical and spiritually powerful and uplifting lyrics reflective of Visaggio’s faith further round things out.
The Face Of Life opens to three straight ‘epics’ of which the seven minute “Epistle” is the shortest. It takes a bluesy approach to the progressive genre but with a classic rock foundation, drifting its span at a stylish mid-paced clip as thickset bass and sublime keyboards lead the amiable way but decelerating to a crawl for the occasional passage to find guitar feedback playing an accenting role. Instrumentally, bluesy lead guitar carries things until piano takes over at the end. Lyric snippet:
Well if you walked on water, and parted all the seas
And if you healed the lepers or made an earth with ease
They still would stand against you, and blithely shout you down
For what you might do next would threaten every single crown
Shake dust from off your feet, someone is waiting to be redeemed
For if they fail to comprehend the architect's great scheme
Just let them try to put together piecemeal in their plight
And show them that the truth is here, the truth is here, a solitary light
Fifteen-minute mega epic “All Open Eyes” ensues. With accapella vocals covering its first minute, the song spends the subsequent three instrumentally as darker overtures to see somber keyboards and technical drum rolls stand alongside fitting symphonic elements. Verses to ensue - breaking down between the first (Realization) and second (Imagination) - come across calm and relaxed with piano and organ enhancing a gentle melody to create an exalted effect. Kinetic Element puts its adept musicianship on display throughout an instrumental break to highlight fiery guitars and rebounding keyboard solos. Final verse (All Open Eyes) to close things takes a similar tranquil keyboard based stance as the others. Lyric snippet:
When you cross over the Rubicon that everyone must face
You'll turn around at the trumpet sound and see the whole human race
You'll have a different body then, and sorrows turned to joy
No more the knife, eternal life, the bondage of death destroyed
All open eyes, all open eyes will share the awakening
They're sure they'll live forever when the day comes
Cast down the lies, tell all the world what you are seeing
You'll certainly shine enough to reach all open eyes
With open eyes, press towards the prize
Shed the disguise and sympathize
Light in the skies, peace, symphonize,
Hold tight the prize with open eyes
Nineteen minute “The Face Of Life” also plays a mega epic role. Grab a cup of coffee, relax and get comfortable, as the song takes you through a mesmerizing series of twists and turns, starting with the grandiose instrumental first five minutes to include Kansas like piano to gradually give way to up-tempo organ and guitar. Remaining fourteen prove no less convoluted, as mirthful and lighthearted verse sections transition between those of a contrasting slower and textured variety but with a gracefully flowing refrain serving to tie all together. Added instrumental moments abound as well in the form of a mid-point break home to stilly done melodic harmonies that give way to orchestral overtures with a classical feel. Lyric snippet:
So come to the river, come to the shore
Come to the place where faith is more
Because all the hope is reality now
You are gazing into the Face of Life
Never mind the stuff you thought you figured
Cast away the false impressions in your mind
Keep an ear upon the calling that you're hearing
And refuse to let your missteps leave you blind
Even though the passion's unforgiving
Even though the crosshairs are on you
There is nothing you cannot be living
There is nothing more than love is true
So come to decision, come to the cliff
Come and be certain, walk don't drift
Because all the hope is reality now
You are changing into the face of Life
After opening to three songs to combine for over forty minutes of music, best way to close is with two on the more curtailed side in the four-minute “Last Words” and three-minute bonus track “Lost Words”. Former maneuvers to majestic keyboards and jazzy guitar as Saint John Coleman exhibits his classic rock tenor vocal abilities, while latter maintains the keyboard signatures but featuring added piano in highlighting a mirthful pop basis.
When it comes to progressive rock, upper tier artists (in my books) include Proto-Kaw and any that go under a heading of ‘Neal Morse” (solo albums, The Neal Morse Band, Transatlantic, etc). A notch below but still very good (again, my opinion) include Supernal Endgame (with its worshipful progressive slant), KDB3 (its latest album I Fill My Days With Noise comes recommended) and MRR label mates Time Horizon (lending AOR touches to the genre). No doubt, Kinetic Element is right in the thick of things in terms of musical aptitude and staying true to progressive nuances in terms of lengthy songwriting, manifold time signatures and melding multiple musical forms. If into the group’s previous efforts or a fan of all things progressive, then I strongly encourage you to check The Face Of Life out.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Epistle” (7:06), “All Open Eyes” (15:52), “The Face Of Life” (19:35), “Last Words” (4:07), “Lost Words” (2:55)
Musicians
Saint John Coleman - Lead Vocals
Peter Matuchniak - Guitars
Mike Visaggio - Piano, Organ & Synthesizers
Mark Tupko - Bass
Michael Murray - Drums
