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The Case for Prog:
Concrete Prophet
Mentioning the genre of progressive
metal does not typically evoke waves of joy in most music
listeners.
The genre is a fusion of characteristics
of progressive rock (dense, complex music structure often
in the vein of classical) and heavy metal (heavy tone, vocal
styling, a swift tempo).
Enter Maryland’s own prog-heads,
Concrete Prophet. The band formed in 2005 through friendships
at Towson University and a shared love of progressive music
and bands like Dream Theater. The lineup was solidified with
the addition of lead guitarist Kevin Boenning to the group
with Michael Passen on bass, Mike Newberry on guitar/vocals
and Brian Dobbs on drums.
Concrete Prophet is working
on filling the potholes that can make prog a difficult and
bumpy listen.
Prog’s extended instrumental
passages, key changes and breakneck tempos can often happen
at the expense of creating a cohesive song. Listeners who
aren’t interested in the structure and mechanical details
often keep away.
Creating cohesive songs is
Concrete Prophet’s primary goal, playing songs that work
with progressive music’s technical complexities, rather
than just framing them. In their sound, you hear elements
of their many guitar virtuoso influences including Steve Vai,
John Petrucci and their mentor Joe Satriani as well as inflential
groups such as Dream Theater and Iron Maiden.
But the most distinguishing
thing about Concrete Prophet is that everything is organic
and blended. This helps instrumental solos become more than
technical displays, enhancing the power of their music to
communicate tone and create atmosphere. The result is awe-inspiring
and electrifying metal for every type of listener.
This becomes more evident live.
The band is an engrossing live experience on all levels, from
the technical skill of solos to the listenability of their
songs. Concrete Prophet is more approachable than many of
their genre-peers. The band proves that progressive has more
to offer to the world than mere instrument wanking.
Armed with their approach,
Concrete Prophet could help finally lead the genre out of
the underground and into the mainstream limelight.
Check out our exclusive interview
with Michael Passen and Kevin Boenning of Concrete Prophet
here.
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Concrete Prophet plays the
Harford Rock Blitz with other locals Tears of Mars, Carbon
Kin, and Bay of Pigs.
Saturday December 8, 2007 at Harford Community College Student
Center in Bel Air, MD
Show starts at 7 p.m. sharp!
$3 for HCC students, $5 for non-students
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