TURN OF THE TIDE

Well where do i begin.. 1st thing i am NOT a writer by any stretch of even my imagination. But i can tell you this much i know what my ears like. I 1st found ARZ while bouncing around on MySpace looking for new prog music to enjoy. And while at 1st listen i wasn't really sure what to make of this duo; i knew that i had to make contact with Steve Adams. Btw ARZ is Steve Adams and Merrill Hale from Portland Oregon. Steve is the guitar Player extraordinaire and "M" as i like to call him is a drummer of a unique skill set. There was just "something" about this sound. So it began, a semi stalking of Steve Adams sending emails back and forth making comments in regards to tracks posted on my space. As i listened more and more i enjoyed more and more. He had sent me a few cds to listen to. I was hooked.it was a full sounding prog band certainly to my ears which are not trained by anyone or anything other than an old pioneer receiver and PR of cerwin vegas that are probably older then my oldest daughter who s 27 yrs old. As time passed i made certain that i would try me hardest to establish constant contact with various websites and college radio stations to give this band some airplay. I really felt they deserved to be discovered. Time passes by and both members join up with Lisa Larue on a few of her terrific releases. I knew it wouldn't be long now before someone stood up and recognized this band. Turn Of The Tide is finally available. 9 tracks of versatile and unique playing that drive me crazy. At one point its symphonic prog and just when you think you have it narrowed down along comes something powerful and heavy like hope and glory. So much for symphonic prog. So it's now become progressive metal. This is the style and skill set of this duo. The 1st track Arz Nova is the perfect start for this cd, a bombastic little number that tells you to listen to the whole cd before placing judgment. Then comes birth of a hero which take you yet for another ride. A song that pretty much sends a message that "i have had enough". we al have our own ideas of what songs are about which may or may not be the same as what the lyricist has in mind when he writes them down on a diners placemat or at his desk. This is how i see Shadow On The Wall. it to me is about my own conscience, what i had in the past and what i have now and what i F'ed up in my life. This is one of my fav tracks on the cd. Hope and Glory comes next, an ambitious song to say the least with all kinds of twists and turns. With just about every type of prog element one can imagine. This is the "epic" track off the cd. A song about finding one's self thru ones own life within an ever changing world. A daunting task to say the least. i could go on and on with each track but won't bore you with my "findings" as we all have our own ideas and thoughts in regards to what a song means to each of us. I will go a bit further and say this band is heavily influenced by ELP and at some point you're just waiting for Greg Lake to start singing. It's not a replica of ELP mind you but the influence is obvious. The drumming is superb with thoughts of the "professor of the drum kit himself" (we rush fans know who this is) coming to mind. Steve is a very accomplished guitar player in his own right and stands among the best there is. As i had said form the start this is a band worth knowing NOW!! That being said go and buy TURN OF THE TIDE. Tell your friends tell all. ARZ IS A BAND THAT WILL BE ONE TO RECKON WITH!!!! After the self-released titles from either digital downloads or a freebie from the band the new release on the Unicorn Digital label will finally allow more to know ARZ. I am glad to be part of the ARZ "FAN CLUB" SO MUCH I HAD INKED MYSELF. This was done because I know once people hear the full sound of the 2 gents playing they will be around quite a long time. Maybe its time now to put "out to pasture my old Pioneer and Cerwin Vegas and get some Polk Audio Tsi200's and a new Pioneer. As far as my "star" ranking goes I cant with all honesty give this a "5". a "5" is for a masterpiece of prog in my opinion. and very few of those exist. But this is a very solid 4 and i again uege those who dont know ARZ to get to know the music by visiting their website, you tube and make the buy!. i have already started loking forward to a follow up cd and its just the beginning. Imagine if they would incorporate a full time keyboardist. This is just the start of the growth ARZ. Im sure the well runs deep folks!!!! ENJOY AND PROG ON!!!!