REFULGENCE

For those unfamiliar, Epignosis plays a melodic, textured and symphonic style of progressive rock. This is the path followed taken again on "Refulgence" and while not unprecedented, it does not need to be. Instead of sprawling, dense epics that test your patience and tolerance of self indulgence, "Refulgence" is a very mellow album, dominated by piano and synth, ripe with acoustic and clean guitar, with some crunchy guitar tones thrown in, harmonious bass and punctuated with soothing vocals. Brown's wife, Tasha, has an increased role on this album and her vocals can be described best as angelic. Wish their natural voices could shine throughout and not occasionally dive into effects, which happens a few times, but that is just the personal preference of this reviewer.

The songs on "Refulgence" have been trimmed down, (or maybe simply broken up) and instead of the 8 minute + songs heard on "Still the Waters" there are more here, all under 6 minutes in length with one exception: the 17 minute self titled track. After an ambient intro piece, said title track begins and is really a microcosm of the album. Everything is here in one song, drifting gently from section to section and has quite a variety within its frame. Also here one will notice the greatly improved drumming, which, (while not a buzz kill on "Still the Waters") was a bit rough at times and lackluster. The physical sound is much improved with this album, as is the actual drumming. On a related note, while not really an issue before, the overall production is also better...and kudos to Brown for developing as a complete musician.

After the very good title track, we have my personal favorite on the album, the progressive and electric guitar focused "Bold Eternal Day". An awesome song put together here. A very strong start to the album, which includes some other standouts such as "Riddles in the Dark", "A Handful of Humanity" and the acoustic "If the World". The album ends with a piano ballad, sung entirely by Tasha and is really the best way to end such a peaceful album.

A tranquil album, intricate and melodic, Brown has a great sense of harmony, and has created quite a textured work. Though its light nature keeps it serene, and not dense. Every song is not the same of course, and some have a different feel to keep things mixed up. Another very solid and beautiful album by Epignosis.

Four Stars

Refulgence is the second album by Epignosis, a solo musical project by Rob Brown with support vocals from his wife, Tasha. A large portion of this album is focussed on the idea of Refulgence, which is not only referenced in the album name and the cover art, but is also the name of the only track surpassing 6 minutes (the 17 minute title track). There is a bit of a "Duke Suite" feel going on here as well, with Effulgence leading naturally into Refulgence, and Fade reprising the theme from Refulgence.

"I am not the light, I'm just a cracked little mirror covered with filth and dust", Robert sings in the chorus of the title track. It's a Christian reference, but very humble and reverential, and cleverly used in various other parts of the song ("Is it seven years bad luck to shatter me to the shards I am?")

Completing the "Duke Suite" effect this album sort of has is, as I mentioned, the closing track Fade, sung by Tasha. This one says, "Jesus is the light, and he can make you a mirror by his perfect grace" - so instead of being about a Christian, it's about Jesus himself. This song has a more peaceful feel to it, focussing more on piano than guitars. I prefer Tasha's singing to Robs in most cases, and combined with the different mood, I think it provides a great contrast between the mirror and the light. Very well done.

A lot of solo albums suffer from focussing too much on one instrument, the instruments not played by the lead member supporting the lead instead of working together. In this case, Rob shows a good command of multiple instruments. The focus is mostly on the electric and acoustic guitars, but they keys are tastefully done and when the piano comes in, it's always pretty and well played. And although Rob is not a drummer, and the drums on this album are programmed, they actually sound rather good (and even have a pretty good tone!). One thing that has been done quite well is working the drums and guitars together, so that each is stronger in the presence of the other than they would be apart. Very complementary. Although this album doesn't quite have a full band sound all the time, for the most part it does, and it never sounds like it is just one guy on his own.

As I mentioned, I do prefer Tasha's vocals over Robs. This is partially because I tend to enjoy female vocals more than males in a lot of cases, but also because her voice feels a bit more full. There are a few points on this album where Rob really shines (A Handful of Humanity is the best part), but at some points his voice doesn't sound full enough to match the emotion of the music. He does do great support vocals though; when he and Tasha sing together, it works incredibly well.

Oh yeah, and although this album is mostly reverential, make no mistake; Epignosis can rock out, as is done on the track "Bold Eternal Day", one of the best song on the album!

Epignosis is the solo project of ProgArchives very own... Epignosis (who'd have guessed). Robert Brown is his real name, a humble North Carolinian multi-instrumentalist who plays all the instruments (and programs some too) on his two solo records. His latest, a labor of love (and occasionally frustration) is titled Refulgence, and is certainly an album with a worthy name. Refulgence is a noun meaning 'radiance' - which is appropriate to the Christian theme that runs all throughout the album, with pious lyrics and subtle Christian themes. However, this theme is not present on every track of the album, as Rob sprinkles in his second ideological love - Libertarianism. Although I may only agree with one of the topics, the album still presents itself as a slightly flawed but overall very engaging and attracting piece of symphonic rock.

Unlike Epignosis' first effort, Still the Waters, which came off as an overall amateurish studio effort, Refulgence emerges as a large improvement, with much more professional and clean production, inviting atmospheres, and a better mix than the last album. The instrumentation is stronger than much of his last effort, with some really fantastic moments that remind of Spock's Beard. Although the drums are programmed, they are for the most part quite realistic, although they do at times grate against this drummer's skin. Away from percussion, however, Rob's masterful use of acoustic 6- and 12-string guitar is fantastic, and his subtle use of mellotron and other keyboards adds a fantastic texture to the music. His guitar tone in the title track is very reminiscent of Mike Oldfield, which a great folky dynamic to that epic track. This peaceful feeling really holds itself throughout much of the album, with the exception of truly rocking tracks such as Bold Eternal Day and Riddles in the Dark.

However, the one major flaw that truly sticks out to me is much of the vocals. To me, they don't really match the emotion of the music, and seem flat and unanimated at times. Although occasionally they really shine through and compliment the music, overall I feel like they don't match the power of the music. Although Tasha's vocals, oftentimes simply adding harmony to Rob's, can really add that 'umph' needed to make them appropriate for the music.

The lyrics, too, don't click with me either. Of course I will not have this mark against the rating because my viewpoints on religion can be different than others, and I can (usually) tune out religious allusions in music. But references to the bible, such as Romans 5:5 'Hope Maketh Not Ashamed' don't really fit with much of the music atmosphere in my opinion. Luckily these lyrics don't come off as preachy, but more as a humble tribute. Although I completely respect Rob's beliefs, I don't completely agree. Of course lyrically I do quite enjoy Handful of Humanity, which is a tip of his hat to his Libertarian friends.

As a lover of literature (and the owner of a Bachelor's degree in English if I recall correctly), the man can truly compose some great lyrics, and whether I agree with them or not, poetically they can truly hold well.

In the end, this album is truly a wonderful, if not a bit flawed, piece of music. Bestowed with beautifully peaceful atmospheres and superb dynamics, ranging from a near metal song to peaceful folky acoustic tracks, the album is easily worth the time and energy put into composing and producing it. The album has some truly wonderful moments, from the mellow pastures of his acoustic work to the rocking power of his electric work. Overall, the album is a truly wonderful display of one man's passion for the music he loves, and I highly recommend it to all! 4- stars.

Epignosis' new album "Refulgence" has a stunning orange tinged cover featuring a woman hidden by a glistening eyeball searing mirror reflecting the sun near a striking red car. The music reflects an equally bright atmosphere, always uplifting and positive with some provocative lyrics. All instruments are played with passion by Robert W Brown Jr, the main preferences being lead guitar and powerful keyboard motifs.

After a short instrumental, the music delves into the lengthy masterwork 'Refulgence'. The lyrics are reflective of the album cover content again; "The air and the sand are met by lightning's hand, and I am glass, the sun whispers down upon the darkening ground, and I am glass" The lyrical content continues to be as thought provoking as the last Epignosis album, with some spiritual awakenings filtering through; "I am not the light, I am not the light, I'm just a cracked little mirror covered with filth and dust" The themes of holding on to our fragile life, of searching for love, changing the atmosphere by positive thinking, and turning our eyes to God are subtle but hold the songs together. The music builds gradually with emphasis on acoustics and keyboards. There are lengthy passages of instrumentation and in particular some dynamic lead guitar work from Rob. Some of the music is sparse with room to breathe and then at other times the music is multi tracked and layered with many instruments like an ebb and flow of waves crashing in and out. The tension and release of the symphonic music are balanced by lyrical intersections. The Christian thematic content is evident but never overbearing. The lyrics could be interpreted in a myriad of ways, such as; "The light of God will be crowned our shouts of joy will resound, All knees, All tongues, All here, All now, All know Him". Those in the know would realise that this lyric is based on the Biblical passage 'every eye will see, every heart will know, every tongue will confess that He is Lord', but of course the Christian lifestyle inspires the music and it is the reason it is created, to glorify God. I am all for that, and it is refreshing to hear some Christian principles injected into prog, without sacrificing it in the name of good music; a similar approach to Neal Morse in this respect.

The next track is 'Bold Eternal Day' (opposite of Dream Theater's 'Dark Eternal Night') beginning with triumphant synth keyboards heralding the verses, and a distinctive distorted guitar generates a heavier feel. The mixture of metal guitar and clean retro synth is so effective. The time sig is off sync and throughout all are interwoven pure lyrics and Rob's distinctive voice. The real surprise here is the addition of crystalline female vocals of Rob's wife Tasha Nichole. I was reminded of Phideaux at times on this track. The lead break is excellent with a very progressive percussive meter and killer keyboard flourishes. This is one of the best tracks yet from Epignosis.

Piano begins 'Hope Maketh Not Ashamed' with cathedral organ sounds and electric guitar riffs. The lyrics are filtered with echoes; "How can we live by these broken rules, We may be weak and we may be fools, To still believe what is proclaimed, Hope maketh not ashamed" I like the way the track builds with an ethereal synth and Tasha joins Rob in the chorus sections. The synth is sustained notes over beautiful piano, and this is enhanced by clean guitar tones continuing the infectious melodies. It really is a work of peace and beauty, and even is reminiscent of Neal Morse in style.

'If The World' is a song of hope that is timely given the current state of the world. The lyrics speak of how to overcome in the midst of the turmoil; "If the world comes crashing down around me, I will not stand still, I would run to the highest place, Where I will never drown" The acoustic guitars dominate and Rob's voice is tinged with sadness yet the ray of hope shines through in the lyrics. There are no drums, keys or bass on this track. It is a simple acoustic piece that says what is wants to say without complex arrangement.

Next track 'Vestibule of Smoke' is more complex with instruments playing off each other, a Spanish guitar feel and a Mike Oldfield style guitar sound. The acoustics are used as a rhythmic foundation under the musicscape.

After this brief interlude, heavier lead guitars pound out a riff for 'Riddles in the Dark'. The heavier style is welcome after all the peaceful moments. Even more welcome are Tasha's gorgeous vocals as she sings enigmatic lyrics such as; "You live where only shadows dwell, Darkness is your only friend, It shrouds your face and hides your evil hands, The puzzles of your misplaced youth, Multiplied throughout the years, Leaving you an enigmatic soul" Rob chimes in on the chorus sections. The feel is a bit darker than previous songs, and one thing that can be said about this album is that the songs are well placed and tell a powerful story as a whole. The music cuts out to allow a minimalist piano to whisper beauty, and then the guitars, drums and keys crash in, with a choral voice augmenting the atmospherics. A great emotional vibe is generated as a result, though it could have continued a bit longer as this could easily have built into deeper themes and a longer instrumental section with more verses.

'A Handful of Humanity' is one of the best tracks with a lengthy intro, very cool guitar riffs and outstanding keyboards. Rob sings of how we have created "a beast of riches and of health" and how we "cower as we watch this creature, granting power to itself." Hope breaks through despite this truth as Tasha sings, "A world is built from other worlds, divided unity" and then the question is posed "What will you do with your hands full of humanity" As the song continues, references are made to the prodigal son, eagles trampled underfoot and "all is vanity". The way that Tasha and Rob trade off vocals is very effective. Once again I would like to have heard an extended version of this track as it holds such beauty but is rather short. Perhaps an extended version of the album would be worthwhile.

Last track features Tasha singing beautifully 'Fade' to Rob's piano. This track is a worship song that could comfortably suit any church service. It is the most blatant in terms of it's Christian message; "Jesus is the light, Jesus is the light, And he has made me a mirror, Reflecting his good face, Jesus is the light, Jesus is the light, And he can make you a mirror by his perfect grace" This is a short piece and should not turn off the unbelievers out there as it simply ends the album with a two and a half minute worship song to Jesus, the reason and inspiration for the album.

My initial reaction is this album is a more polished and better production than the first Epignosis album. The music is stronger and well arranged. The message is dynamic and powerful throughout, Tasha enhances the album beautifully, and there are some inspired tracks. Favourite moments are undoubtedly the epic 17 minute 'Refulgence', the gorgeous 'Hope Maketh Not Ashamed', the outstanding powerful rocker 'Bold Eternal Day', and 'A Handful of Humanity' and 'Riddles in the Dark' that are short but effective pieces. Thanks, Rob, for continuing to create such inspiring, powerful and uplifting music!

"Refulgence" is the latest release from North Carolina's Robert Brown, whose progressive rock project goes by the name Epignosis. Robert is a talented multi-instrumentalist and composer who has released two prog rock albums to date. This one includes even more involvement from his wife and vocal partner, Tasha. I've always resisted reviewing the work of fellow Collaborators/friends at the site wondering how objective I could be, but I simply had to break my own rule in order to register my feelings on this wonderful music. So consider that your full disclosure if you give a rip about such things. I'll be as objective as I can be as my friend Robert would desire that. I need to begin on a personal note. The lyrical themes of Refulgence celebrate Christ as well as personal struggle. In the past I have viewed Christian lyrics with some derision, and I've shared some of this with Robert at one point. Whether he knew it or not he is one of the people who helped turn my heart to be more accepting and even welcoming of such lyrics in music. I consider the lyrics to be something inviting and comforting here despite being a person fairly lost in the spiritual sense. And I'm amazed how well they work here in marriage with the music.

Refulgence mixes symphonic prog rock with occasional Southern rock sensibilities for a unique sound. The keyboard rich album features airy atmospheres in the background, peaceful, tranquil, over which he dives head over heels with my favorite instrument, piano. There are many nice piano moments throughout and despite being grabbed by that I acknowledge it is the guitar where Robert truly excels. Lush acoustic guitars join the keyboards to create this fertile atmosphere for the frequent and passionate electric leads. Brown has tremendous "instinct" for what sounds good during his solos, bypassing theatrics for the kind of sound and melodies that are simply pleasurable to take in. It's not a complicated equation; he plays for his listener rather than trying to impress anyone. It is without question what drew me in initially. Robert is not as masterful a drummer as he is a guitarist and that is my biggest complaint here, that the music is sold a bit short by drumming that feels "stiff" or perhaps just not as convincing as they could be. Certainly it is passable and did not ruin anything for me but I would have preferred a solid drummer to the programmed and live drumming here.

The highlights begin with a short intro of an oscillating effect that feels dizzying, spacey, and for me represents feeling lost. Soon there is a comforting piano part providing solace before it dramatically bursts into the epic 17 minute centerpiece. The title track introduces recurring themes and features multiple sections quite successfully. The wonderfully proggy (sorry, I know some people hate that word) early moments feature some Howe-esque volume pedal (I think) work that instantly reminded me of classic-era Yes. Knowing Robert loves Topographic Oceans as I do, this made me smile instantly wondering if any of Refulgence was inspired by Howe. From there a mellow acoustic section leads into a rocking section which I found to be somewhat countrified or perhaps that Southern rock feel I mentioned, with relaxed rock vocal lines and nice catchy verses. Things build and around the 12 minute mark there is a return of an early theme which then soars upward into a glorious sounding exaltation of unified synths, guitars, and a wordless choir-like vocal part. It sounds like a "column" of music, not unlike the dramatic section of "Don't Fear the Reaper." This is really impressive. Mellower section returns and there is a nice guitar solo on the track. There are a number of shorter songs which follow and while I'm not going into all of them individually, each is quite consistent and enjoyable. I've not heard the first album in a while so I won't compare the two, but I can say there is a noticeable improvement in overall production value/sound quality. I think its safe to say this set has a more dynamic feel overall, it has a fire in the belly.

Robert's wife Tasha Brown (or Tasha Nichole?? different names on each album PA entry) plays a greater role on this second effort and her lovely voice is most welcome. Whether harmonizing or singing a lead part she adds much to Refulgence. This brings me to my other favorite part of Refulgence which is the heartwarming closer "Fade." It's a gorgeous piano ballad of a central melody with Tasha singing beautifully over Robert's gentle piano. Everything falls away to what matters: a sincere, inviting, and most comforting offering in song: "Jesus is the light, Jesus is the light, and he can make you a mirror by his perfect grace." It connects back to the title track and the album art for a very satisfying conclusion. I'm a conservative rater who would have to go 3 stars for the overall album, although the long and very satisfying title track is a solid 4 stars. Bravo my friend and thanks for an album that makes me feel better.