Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography
Present - A Great Inhumane Adventure CD (album) cover

A GREAT INHUMANE ADVENTURE

Present

 

RIO/Avant-Prog

3.57 | 33 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
4 stars I'm really surprised at how low this album is rated, it's an amazing live document of PRESENT's first tour of the USA in 1998.They spent 5 weeks touring America in support of their "Certitudes" album. I've read accounts from several people who were at this very concert and they all rave about the dark, complex and shifting music, but also about the ominous stage presence that this band has. Most have a problem with Roger's demented vocals but really it's only on the first half of the opening tune that they're a little hard to digest. Cool to listen to the father and son guitar duo weaving their torturous and raw solos throughout. No this is not Fripp and Belew, this is more like Neil Young in a dark basement high on cocaine not knowing when to stop. And I love it. It wouldn't be fair not to mention the great Dave Kerman's drum work nor Chevalier's ever-present piano melodies. And yes the bass is upfont and deep thanks to Mr.Mendes.

"Delusions" is from the "Certitudes" album and Roger's vocals are front and center as he rants rather than sings. Great sound after 3 minutes. The vocals stop around 7 minutes and the rest of this track is pure joy. The piano and drums are relentless as the bass growls. The guitars are incredible especially after 10 minutes. "Alone" is from "C.O.D.Performance" and we get lots of piano with bass and drums. It settles after 1 1/2 minutes and we get reserved vocals before 2 1/2 minutes. It really sounds like mellotron 6 minutes in. It kicks back in before 7 minutes and the guitar is prominant. Huge bass after 8 minutes. Check out the guitar before 9 1/2 minutes. "Le Poison Qui Rend Fou" is the title track from their second album. An interesting rhythm here with abrasive guitar early. They keep up a torrid pace until it settles around 5 minutes. It kicks back in later.

"Laundry Blues" was featured on an earlier live album but is not from a studio record. Piano to open as guitar joins in. Huge bass follows. A good rhythm kicks in after a minute as guitar plays over top. An eerie calm 2 minutes in as spoken words and vocal melodies come in after 4 1/2 minutes. The guitar is back after 7 1/2 minutes when the vocals stop. The tempo picks up after 10 1/2 minutes as the guitar makes some noise. "Promenade Au Fond D'un Canal" is from their debut and it's the over 23 minute closer. Drums and bass rumble as guitar and piano come and go. The tempo picks up 2 minutes in with the piano out in front. Angular guitar 4 minutes in then it settles. Vocals before 5 1/2 minutes. Scorching guitar after 7 minutes with heavy drums and bass. Incredible ! This intensity continues for some time. Dual intricate guitars as drums and bass throb heavily before 11 minutes (the crowd cheers). Check out how the sound is building after 17 1/2 minutes. Lots of guitar after 19 minutes as drums,piano and bass support. I can't express how mind blowing this track is. Talk about dark, heavy and complex !

A must for PRESENT fans out there. Easily 4 stars and a valuable recording.

Mellotron Storm | 4/5 |

MEMBERS LOGIN ZONE

As a registered member (register here if not), you can post rating/reviews (& edit later), comments reviews and submit new albums.

You are not logged, please complete authentication before continuing (use forum credentials).

Forum user
Forum password

Share this PRESENT review

Social review comments () BETA







Review related links

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.