|
Sound Off!: Concrete Prophet
Baltimore - meet Concrete Prophet
(if you haven’t encountered them in a previous incarnation).
They will be pummeling your head in now.
Born out of a network of connections
and friendships at Towson’s music department, since 2005
they have been playing the area, showcasing their take on
progressive rock. Their current line-up consists of Nicholas
James (vocals), Kevin Boenning (guitar), Michael Passen (bass),
and Brian Dobbs (drums).
Much like prog-giants (and
musical inspirations) Dream Theater, each member of Concrete
Prophet is an accomplished instrumentalist/vocalist in his
own right: vocalist Nicholas James and bassist Michael Passen,
are both Masters students at UMD and Peabody, respectively.
Clearly, ample chops are fueling the progressive-style riffs
and dramatic, powerhouse vocals that populate Concrete Prophet’s
library of songs that also bear marks of the touch of Queensryche
and Rush.
But their approach is decidedly
different from your archetypal prog band. CP never lets instrumental
masturbation and virtuoso-style solo digressions take precedence
over song structure and cohesiveness. Their foremost priority
is to construct high quality, hook-heavy rock songs; music
with a clear thematic vision and story to tell. The fact that
they then blend instrumental solos and utilize them tastefully
as an extra musical voice is just an added technical treat
for those so inclined.
|
