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SUNSET GUN

Kopecky

Heavy Prog


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Kopecky Sunset Gun album cover
3.84 | 37 ratings | 4 reviews | 14% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 2003

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Sunset Gun (8:04)
2. Ascension (5:32)
3. The Divine Art of Flying (5:22)
4. Selqet's Kiss (10:50)
5. Creation's Brief Gift (10:11)
6. Temptation's Screaming-Ground (9:49)
7. Departure (5:45)

Total Time 55:33

Line-up / Musicians

- Joe Kopecky / guitar
- William Kopecky / bass, sitar, keyboards
- Paul Kopecky / drums & percussion

Releases information

CD Musea ‎- FGBG 4498.AR (2003, France)

Thanks to ProgLucky for the addition
and to Quinino for the last updates
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KOPECKY Sunset Gun ratings distribution


3.84
(37 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(14%)
14%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(41%)
41%
Good, but non-essential (38%)
38%
Collectors/fans only (5%)
5%
Poor. Only for completionists (3%)
3%

KOPECKY Sunset Gun reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by hdfisch
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars KOPECKY's third studio release initially sounds as if anything hasn't changed since their debut in 1999. Though after listening throughout the album it reveals a slight change in the general mood and heavyness. Overall their sound became a tap "lighter", less metallic, at times almost cheerful, maybe a bit easier accessible but still very intricate. In addition they employ some interesting sound effects like a swarm of bees in the title track and some crying babies in "Creation's Brief Gift" working quite as well as an emphasis for the corresponding emotional mood.

Basically the brothers' powerful and complex interplay of guitar, bass and drums stayed the same on here as demonstrated well in the opener. "Ascension" has a nice symphonic touch by the introduction of some string arrangements. Next one "The Divine Art of Flying",a cool sitar-dominated track is the most cheerful and lightest one I've heard so far from them. This one does not sound that much interesting I've to say offering too little varation and only Paul K.'s explosive drumming style saves it from veering into new age territory. Though this album is generally dominated more by Joe K.'s guitar play "Selqet's Kiss" being the only track where his brother Bill is the man in action with his pumping and yowling fretless bass play. This one has a quite menacing atmosphere bringing GORDIAN KNOT into mind. But here as well some keyboard strings are adding up a nice variation to their sound. "Creation's Brief Gift" opens with the sound of a musical box before the mentioned crying babies are coming in and then once again we get a highly appealing and excellent interplay of guitar and bass, very melodic and not as tough as we know already from their debut. The amazing thing with this brotherly trio is really that they're not only virtuoso on each of their instruments but are playing as well exceptionally good together as a band without any unnecessary pointless solo escapades. Next track "Temptation's Screaming-Ground" has to be the most outstanding one on here bearing a highly textured symphonic sound, nice subdivisions with varying degree of heaviness as well great (not too extended) solos by all musicians. A really extraordinary instrumental prog metal piece clocking almost ten minutes. "Departure" finally is as well a very melodic but highly intricate track exhibiting once again a fascinating interplay of all three musicians.

Finally I've to say that it wasn't that easy for me to find an adequate rating for KOPECKY's third studio release, especially if comparing it with their debut (don't know yet their second one). But after listening to it again and again I can't refuse to give it as well a four star rating, since it's even more versatile than their first one. "Sunset Gun" could be considered as a good starting point for prog fans to check out this band.

Review by Gatot
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars This is the fourth album by Kopecky which is basically three brothers - Joe, William and Paul - from Racine WI. Joe plays guitar and sings, William plays electric bass, keyboards and sitar, and Paul is a drummer. The music is a marriage of Late King Crimson (Discipline onwards era), progressive metal and traditional / ethnic music represented by the use of sitar. All the seven tracks a re instrumental. Unfortunately this is the only album I have from Kopecky so that I cannot make any comparison with previous work. In a way, it reminds me to Sean Malone's Gordian Knot, even though technically the music is different. Throughout the album you will find intense use of dynamic bass guitar work by William.

The album title "Sunset Gun" (8:04) opens the album with the music that is unique as it blends the style of late King Crimson and progressive metal plus orchestration. Bass guitar is the major drive of the music and it reminds me to Sean Malone's Gordian Knot. "Ascension" (5:32) starts off with long sustain, multi-layered, keyboard work followed with a stream of music in dynamic sound blending bass guitar and guitar which makes the music a bit complex. The good thing is on the creation of ambient nuance throughout the song. "The Divine Art of Flying" (5:22) explores William's capability in handling sitar excellently. Yeah, this is a well crafted composition which demonstrates not only William's musicianship but also the songwriting of this track. It embraces ethnic music nicely and the music flows naturally from one segment to another. You will refer this with Ravi Shankar album, obviously. The music style of this track reminds me to Steve Hackett's "The Red Flower of Tachai Blooms" from "Spectral Mornings" album.

"Selqet's Kiss" (10:50) combines symphonic nature of progressive music with prog met rhythm section. Bass guitar sounds like the dominant part of the music, combined with guitar and keyboard work. The music texture is ambient. The next track "Creation's Brief Gift" (10:11) is in similar vein with previous track where bass guitar drives the melody. Guitar provides repeated fills while bass guitar gives the melody. In fact, the combined work of guitar and bass is really nice. "Temptation's Screaming-Ground" (9:49) starts something heavy like a progressive metal song. The most attraction point is the intertwining bass guitar and guitar work - it's really cool!

Overall, I would recommend you to have this album especially if you like prog instrumental like Sean Malone' Gordian Knot. The music is not the same, but both are influenced by late King Crimson. For those who like bass guitar exploration, this is a good choice as well, and it's definitely a prog album. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW (i-Rock! Music Community)

Review by Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars I want to dedicate this review to Paul Kopecky who just recently passed away because of complications from juvenile diabetes. He was just 37 years of age. I really feel for his family and especially his two brothers who played in this band with him. All three guys are impressive on "Sunset Gun" which for many is their favourite from this band, but I really did feel Paul's drumwork especially stood out. KOPECKY are indeed a trio of bass, guitar and drums, although we do get some keyboards and sitar as well.

"Sunset Gun" opens with this amazing atmosphere before it kicks in after a minute. Some impressive bass here followed by some great sounding guitar, then they're trading solos. Synths roll in later. A very good track. "Ascension" opens with synths and then the heaviness takes over quickly.The drumming sounds so good here. Check out the guitar 4 minutes in and then the bass joins in after 5 minutes. "The Divine Art Of Flying" is really the track that I wish wasn't on this record. Sitar leads the way in this Eastern flavoured soundscape. It just doesn't feel like it belongs. "Selqet's Kiss" is mid-paced with some excellent sounding drumming and guitar.The bass is out front after 6 minutes though. Nice. Synths a minute later then it settles some as we get an experimental section. Heavy drums follow then synths join in.

"Creation's Brief Gift" opens with the sounds of a music box and a baby fussing. It all stops as these three talented brothers start to put on a show. It builds slowly as this chunky soundscape gets louder. A calm with samples 7 1/2 minutes in including the baby and the wind blowing takes us to the end of the song. "Temptation's Screaming-Ground" has the best intro yet ! Fairly heavy with keyboards before it settles right down around 4 minutes. It kicks back in at 6 minutes with some nice bass. It turns rather abrasive before ending heavily. Great track. "Departure" has an outstanding guitar intro and I like the melody that follows.This might be the best tune on here.

6 of the 7 tracks are incredibly done. If you like instrumental albums that are very well played and quite heavy at times check this one out. RIP Paul.

Latest members reviews

4 stars My opinion about prog-metal is quite similiar to Thom’s (Boss of www.artrock.pl) opinion about present, Polish idea of progressive music. Mentioning it makes me shiver, but I’m trying to listen to it, and then I shiver again, because once again I had to revise this rubbish. Maybe it& ... (read more)

Report this review (#137886) | Posted by WOJTEKK | Wednesday, September 12, 2007 | Review Permanlink

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