CLASSIC ROCK PRESENTS: PROGNOSIS 15

"Prognosis 15" is yet another of the compilation disks that come with Prog magazine. In this case there are a few more hits than misses though these compilations are a real mixed bag. The highlights on this comp come from IOEarth, Konchordat, Nine Stones Close, and Pinkroom. Other artists on offer are still very good though so this is worth checking out.

It begins with Blackfield's 'Glass House' which is easy listening with nice male vox from Steven Wilson, and well played piano, strings, and guitars.

IOEarth are represented with 'Home', featuring angelic female vocals, chimes, and beautiful, dreamy atmospherics.

Deadly Circus Fire have a heavy sound on 'Bury You Alive'. The riffs are thrashy and this rocks hard.

Ennïs Tóla's 'Lucifer's Dance' is a quiet tranquil peaceful track with flute embellishments.

Gazpacho are always good to hear and 'Snail' is as atmospheric as their other material. Konchordat's 'Time to Go' has some majestic effects, with a dark grand sound. The vocals are terrific and this is a highlight showcasing an accomplished Neo sound. Nine Stones Close are here with the title track of the terrific "Traces". It has a gorgeous melody and powerful vocals from Jones. The lyrics focus on the traces we leave on others during our lives like ghosts upon their consciousness "immortal thoughts and mortal fears... hope lies in beauty, faith lies in you," and one of the more powerful thoughts is evoked in this track, "when this body wears me out I won't feel a thing, threads of thought unravel to reveal a fabric of deceit, more nothing than something." These sentiments are enhanced by strong ambient passage of keys and guitars. The track has a serene melancholy vocal style.

Odd Dimension are next with 'The Ecstacy of Hopes' which is fairly heavy prog with tons of melodic nuances.

Pinkroom are excellent with 'Path of Dying Truth' featuring great guitars and soft vox. It gets heavier with distorted axes and is quite intricate in structure making this a definitive listen.

José Carballido's 'Al Despertar' has loud coral voices and majestic bombastic synths. The bassline is killer and the verses settle into acoustic vibrations, Italian vocals, and an overall unique sound with operatic theatrics. Later it develops into heavier territory with thrashier guitars and some loud vocals. A real oddity this one, and worth a listen for all the reasons stated.

I can settle with 3 stars for the few excellent tracks on this comp. It is a lot easier to listen to without too much thrash unlike some of the other comps from this great magazine.