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NATHAN MAHL

Jazz Rock/Fusion • Canada


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Nathan Mahl biography
The band, based around the figure of keyboard player Guy Leblanc, puts together a very potent mix of sounds to produce this mostly instrumental work. Their music is both dark and light, complex and largely symphonic prog, loud and quiet, yet always stretching way beyond. Their musical style incorporates elements of YES, ELP, GENTLE GIANT and even a bit of Frank ZAPPA, blending it together to create a style that is very much their own.

NATHAN MAHL is just progressive rock of the highest calibre, recommended expecially to lovers of jazz-rock and more complex structures. "The Clever Use of Shadows" is a great modern and mainly instrumental progressive rock, helped by some simply fabulous, talented, and imaginative musicians.

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NATHAN MAHL discography


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NATHAN MAHL top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.81 | 25 ratings
Parallel Eccentricities
1983
3.95 | 54 ratings
The Clever Use of Shadows
1999
3.41 | 32 ratings
Heretik Volume I: Body of Accusations
2000
3.99 | 30 ratings
Heretik Volume II: The Trial
2001
3.59 | 31 ratings
Heretik Volume III: The Sentence
2002
3.38 | 24 ratings
Shadows Unbound
2003
3.99 | 44 ratings
Exodus
2008
3.69 | 26 ratings
Justify
2014

NATHAN MAHL Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.60 | 5 ratings
Live at NEARfest 1999
2003

NATHAN MAHL Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

NATHAN MAHL Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

NATHAN MAHL Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

NATHAN MAHL Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Heretik Volume I: Body of Accusations by NATHAN MAHL album cover Studio Album, 2000
3.41 | 32 ratings

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Heretik Volume I: Body of Accusations
Nathan Mahl Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars The triumphant comeback of Nathan Mahl of didn't slip through the organizers of big prog events and in May 99' the band was given an invitation to perform among the bands of the Nearfest 1999 in the place of the disbanded Finneus Gauge.At the end of the year several facts surfaced with Guy LeBlanc releasing his debut solo album and being proposed a place in the line-up of Camel, whom he joined in 2000.Original guitarist Mark Spenard joined the band again in the place of Jose Bergeron, while his brother Alan Bergeron quit from his duties during the recordings of the next album, feeling that Nathan Mahl was slowly becoming a studio project.LeBlanc played the rest of the drums for the new work ''Heretik volume I - Body of accusations'', released in 2000, telling the story of a man, as he awaits his trial for crimes against society.

Nathan Mahl would sink deep into the progressive waters with this album, as three out of possible six tracks are longer than 10 minutes, highlighted by the 21-min. ''Heretik part I''.Actually it doesn't get much more HAPPY THE MAN-like than this album, Nathan Mahl pay a tribute to the mass of 70's bands, which played a quirky, inventive Progressive Rock with both symphonic and jazzy overtones, as LeBlanc displays a monstrous performance on organ, synths and piano throughout.Imagine a mix of GENESIS, CAMEL, BRIAN AUGER'S OBLIVION EXPRESS and GREENSLADE as a detailed set of influences and sounds for this work and get prepared to listen to challenging, dense and virtuosic musicianship with beautiful interludes, grandiose textures and lots of jazzy overtones.In fact LeBlanc oftens overpowers the material with some furious, smoky synth soloing, you get a taste of a DEREK SHERINIAN/JORDAN RUDESS atmosphere during thIs noodling, but as a main composer he was also responsible for the well-crafted, refined arrangements on this album with the obvious symphonicism of the old bands.Nathan Mahl's music is filled with inventive breaks and keyboard changes, some accurate guitar chops and a solid rhythm section, the band even rocks at times and the material explores a range of different sounds, some extended Fusion pyrotechnics to go along with Classical elements and the complexity of the original prog movement.Very few vocals in the process, ''Heretik volume I - Body of accusations'' is first and foremost an album of an instrumental fest with emphasis on demanding orchestrations.

A great little pearl from the early-00's, seemingly getting a bit lost into a labyrinth of instrumental tricks, but containing overall excellent and well-plated material.Strongly recommended, very good mix of symphonic and Fusion stylings...3.5 stars.

 Heretik Volume III: The Sentence by NATHAN MAHL album cover Studio Album, 2002
3.59 | 31 ratings

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Heretik Volume III: The Sentence
Nathan Mahl Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Renkls

4 stars This was my first introduction to Nathan Mahl, due to my affection for the one song album and the technical prowess required to sustain tension throughout. So was I impressed with this mostly instrumental piece of music? Yeah, mostly. Being instrumental makes it have double the difficulty of keeping my attention, and at 54 minutes in length, it's not exactly a cozy easy-to- immerse-in tune. But for the most part I was, and still do occasionally have the patience to sit through its length and enjoy it on the way. It's an interesting musical style, I'm not privy to all the musical back knowledge to know why exactly I find it enjoyable, but it definitely was on the first and following listens. Playing it as I write this to remind me that it is a challenging and difficult single song album to get immersed in, but once you do, have to add it to your collection somewhere in the instrumental segment. Perhaps my two quarrels with the piece is the lack of vocals and the drag that comes with being mostly instrumental and 54 minutes long. Apart from that, there's plenty to keep happy about for most prog fans.
 Heretik Volume II: The Trial by NATHAN MAHL album cover Studio Album, 2001
3.99 | 30 ratings

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Heretik Volume II: The Trial
Nathan Mahl Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars After the excellent "The Clever Use Of Shadows" Guy LeBlanc decided to get ambitious and create a concept called "Heretik" that would span over the next three albums.This is the second of those called "The Trial". For a concept album there isn't actually a lot of lyrics thankfully, as this band from Quebec lays down some killer instrumental work which is their strong point.

"Entrance Of The Judges / Malleus Maleficarum" is the over 23 minute opener. After an announcement of "All rise for the entrance of the judges" we get an almost classical brand of music before the synths kick in at 4 minutes followed by drums and guitar before 5 minutes. Reserved vocals a minute later with piano then it kicks back in around 7 1/2 minutes. Great sound here.This section goes on until around 14 minutes when the reserved vocals and sound return. It kicks back in a minute later and we get some ripping guitar before 16 minutes.Vocals are back 19 1/2 minutes in then it picks up with keyboards. Some heaviness 22 1/2 minutes in to end it. Nice. "De Praestigiis Daemonum" has a good heavy intro as keyboards join in. It settles 1 1/2 minutes in with synths helping out. Lots of piano too.The heaviness comes and goes.

"Heretik Part IV" opens with what sounds like harpischord as the sound builds.Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes as it settles back. It kicks back in instrumentally 4 minutes in. Some great sounding guitar after 6 minutes then the vocals return. It's instrumental again after 8 1/2 minutes with organ taking the lead. Cool. More excellent guitar after 11 minutes. "Ad Judicium" is uptempo and guitar led. Organ comes to the fore after 4 minutes then bass before it kicks back in. Organ leads again then guitar. "Moral Values Part II" settles a minute in with synths.Intricate drums and keyboards lead then it kicks back in after 2 1/2 minutes.Vocals 4 minutes in as it settles back. Reserved female vocals and piano end it.

A low 4 stars but it's certainly worth that rating.

 The Clever Use of Shadows  by NATHAN MAHL album cover Studio Album, 1999
3.95 | 54 ratings

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The Clever Use of Shadows
Nathan Mahl Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars The last review for this album on here was over 6 years ago. This is a tough one to find apparently since it's out of print. I think it's their only album that isn't available but most consider this their best (including the Gnosis site) hence the reaon it's so hard to find. I got my copy many years ago and thought this was the perfect album to review before I head South (Florida). Maybe this will keep me in good standing while i'm gone for 2 1/2 weeks. NATHAN MAHL are from Quebec and the keyboardist (Guy LeBlanc) will be familiar to some since he's played with CAMEL often enough.

"Without Words" opens with what sounds like a war going on then drums, organ and guitar come in and build. Huge bass lines before 1 1/2 minutes. Nice. It settles in after 2 1/2 minutes.The tempo picks up some after 6 minutes but it does shift the rest of the way. "Clever Use Of Shadows" features intricate guitar melodies then it kicks in with bass and guitar after a minute.Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes as it settles back. Great sound 3 1/2 minutes in as it kicks back in with guitar out front. Organ leads 4 minutes in then we get a calm a minute later. It kicks back in at 7 minutes with organ leading as the tempo continues to change. "Orgasmik Outburst" hits the ground running. Great sound ! Guitar, organ, drums and bass kill here. Ripping guitar before 1 1/2 minutes then the organ leads followed by bass then the guitar is back out front. Nasty stuff. "Machiavelique" features gentle guitar early before it kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes. Some nice drum work before 3 minutes.

"Beyond The Rims Of Despair" opens with throbbing bass as drums and keyboards also contribute. Guitar replces the keys. Guest sax after a minute. Some good organ runs before 5 minutes then it settles down. Nice guitar work after 7 minutes then the sax returns before it kicks back in late. "Something Like That" opens with the sounds of frogs then keys, drums and bass kick in.The tempo continues to shift. Great sound after 4 1/2 minutes. "The Rubber Cage" is like a tribute to Frank Zappa. A ticking clock is replaced by piano as vocals and drums join in.The vocal style and tone sounds just like Zappa. Also the obscene lyrics fit that mode as well.This is funny and so well played. Amazing track ! "Call To Arms" has some excellent drumming early on and really it's relentless early on. It does settle into a jazzy vibe but the tempo will continue to shift back and forth.

These guys can play ! The guitarist is fairly unique sounding and i'll admit the music here takes a while to really sink in. A solid 4 stars. By the way their debut was released in 1983. This was their second album and it was released in 1998. I think for that reason there is some fire and passion here while the "Heritik" trio of albums that follows this one lack that energy and freshness.

 Exodus by NATHAN MAHL album cover Studio Album, 2008
3.99 | 44 ratings

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Exodus
Nathan Mahl Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Ovidiu

4 stars 5 years silence after the impressive SHADOWS UNBOUND amazing album,and Guy Le Blanc strikes back with his NATHAN MAHL band and offer us a new majestic album called EXODUS !It's the most mature and elaborated work so far,based on the holy Book and tit ries to capture,musically speaking,the dramatic period of these forgotten times!Of course,NATHAN MAHL is a sure value of the Canadian symphonic progressive with serious fusion touch and this new album doesn't dissapoint at all!Inside the cover of the album,a very impressive one too,we discover great compositions based on amazing rhythm changes,breaks and solid musical ideas!It's the kind of album thet it's author has from years the ideas in mind,and only after many versions can have a final form!The diversity is present everywhere,the keyboards are stellar and sometimes explosive.NATHAN MAHL have realised in the past the brilliant masterpiece called THE HERETIC -a monumental trilogy,one of the most spectacular and unfortunatelly ,underrated musical jewel and this album continue the monumentality of the work mentioned!Guy LeBlanc has a sympathy for cinematic and almost ambiental music and that's why I think that ,the instrumental parts of the songs are really brilliant!The band seems to be in it's most optimal element when the vocal parts are gone and the instrumental ones begin-it's like a delivery,the sign to start the frenzy in a very spectacular way!All musicians are top class and each instrument has a definited place in the composition,that's for sure!!This album must be apreciated in it's integrality,so it;'s impossible to say which song is the highlight of the album!Personally I adore DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN and 40 DAYS,but each song of the album is marvelous!Another inspired album ,a new beginning for NATHAN MAHL and many beautiful perspectives. 4.5 STARS for an ambitious and complex album of prog fusion with symphonic moments
 Exodus by NATHAN MAHL album cover Studio Album, 2008
3.99 | 44 ratings

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Exodus
Nathan Mahl Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Kazuhiro
Prog Reviewer

4 stars This remark of "It is likely to become a sound different from a current work" Guy LeBlanc will become evidence that the band has exactly repeated the revolution. And, the establishment of the sound by the overall flow of this album and a past work develops further and offers the listener the flow of the evolving band including the concept. The establishment of the composition and the sound of the tune refined further in "Shadows Unbound" that had been announced from the element of Hard Fusion that the quality in which the technical part was pushed out forward in "The Clever Use of Shadows" that had been announced in 1998 is high in 2003 might have attempted the sound and the differentiation with other bands.

After Camel had seceded, leader's Guy LeBlanc exactly poured energy into this band. The quality as the work was always offered to the listener as music with high level though member's changing places was frequently done. And, to change the mind radically and to make those ideas progressed concretely at the same time as a wonderful concept's hanging to the theme of the album, a musician unique the member's election has been appointed in this album.

Guy Dagenais that took charge of Bass and Vocal was active in an individual project. And, it had relations with Nathan Mahl. Drum player's Alain Bergeron was intermittently related to the band and performed. It returns again with this album. And, Tristan Vaillancourt was a musician who was active by "Widow's Walk" that had been formed in 2000. It is said that Guy Dagenais requested the band to participate seeing the performance of Tristan. However, Tristan Vaillancourt had already seceded Widow 's Walk. And, Tristan has been suddenly left from the band by the process of the production of this album. The substantive information is not so obtained for this details. However, it is Violin player's David Peterson for the recording of other albums. And, familiar, because of "The Rebel Wheel" deep David Campbell participates.

"the Old Testament" is used for the concept of the album as a theme of the album. And, the theme is clarified further by the part of "The book of Exodus". The presentation of a new sound in which dismantlement and construction were repeated from these ideas and past works further might have become a new front for the band.

"Burning Bush" rushes into from a beautiful piano and the chorus to an intense part. It puts on eight perfect rhythms and Solo of the guitar and the keyboard is developed. This part might be a revolution and be room of the band. And, the tune shifts to a complex theme.

As for "Let My People Go", an intense song and a hard guitar grasp the initiation. An exactly hard part might appear everywhere in this album. A beautiful chorus might be expanding the width of the tune. It is ..tune good ..the calculation exactly.... finished.

"The Plagues" has introduced the rhythm of the Half Time shuffle. It twines round the theme of the keyboard and Violin contributes. And, the taste with a good guitar. It has the flow of Rock that this flow is indeed hard. The reply of each Solo will not be only a part of simple Rock. It is very understood that they are musicians who have a technical element.

"The Parting" shifts from intense SE to a beautiful melody. The methodology of the music that they used has enhanced the flow. The tune suddenly shifts to an intense part and develops complex ensemble. The element of Hard Rock might go out strongly in this tune. It is suitable for the tune to say nothing of an emotional song. A complex rhythm and an active melody twine round the complexity.

The tastes of men who can listen in a past current work might go out of "Down From The Mountain". Technical processing of the keyboard is perfect. However, the tune has the element of Hard Rock and the element of a few Funk. It might be a part where this flow was caught for the band as a new front. I will feel the charm in the part where the band doesn't exist as a band of simple Rock at the same time as intensely developing while following the concept of the theme. Because the frame as Jazz Rock existed, they reached the new front at last.

"40 Years" is a tune with a beautiful melody. Their root and culture become melodies, too and it is likely to be reflected in the tune. W opening that twines with the part of hardness while leaving a beautiful melody might be splendid. And, the sound of the keyboard is variegated. The last Bass Solo of the tune is also impressive.

"The Last Climb" attempts the continuation of the theme by a beautiful melody and the chorus. An acoustic part shifts to the following development.

As for "Canaan", the element of Hard Fusion might be very strong. Making and the development of a variegated sound demonstrate the charm to its maximum as their performances. Their good parts are blocked here. A complex rhythm is expanded the width of the tune and progresses. The melody with the racial element developed on the way might also continue the theme of the album. And, solo of the guitar also contributes enough.

"Zipporah's Farewell" progresses with the melody with the anacatesthesia. The theme of this album might be consistent and be concrete. The flow might have an ambient part. And, the tune is connected with the last tune.

"The Price Of Freedom" starts by a moving theme. The band shows the existence of Nathan Mahl in union. The idea and the thought, that is, the past that great musicians had done might have been originally digested by Nathan Mahl. The song and the melody are being expressed by the band to its maximum. The melody of Violin and the guitar will be sung with moving development. The flow of the performance and the theme that they should express in this album has succeeded exactly through the whole. It is a tune with completely moving development.

It will have the original music that the music character that they did is taken the element of various music and not achieved in another. And, they might have exactly expanded the possibility of the band by this album.

 Exodus by NATHAN MAHL album cover Studio Album, 2008
3.99 | 44 ratings

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Exodus
Nathan Mahl Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by avestin
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars Not having heard a single note from this band, despite knowing of them and reading about them and reviews of their previous albums, I come to this 2008 release of theirs without the burden or bliss of expectation or knowing what to expect of this release.

This album left me with somewhat mixed feelings but also satisfaction from wonderful music that is played here. There are some memorable moments, some great musicianship and beautiful sections when the musicians show their abilities and the music prevails. There are also weaker aspects: the vocals, which at times seem to detract from the overall effect, rather than contributing to it; songs in which there seem to be a bland, dull sound, that has no depth and manages to ruin the effect of an otherwise good song (The Parting); and finally songs or parts of them, which just don't "do it" for me and leave me "cold" after listening to them (for example The Last Climb, the opening part of the songs Let My People Go and The Plagues)

But when I look at the album as a whole, it is a satisfying listening experience; a well accomplished song like Burning Bush, which is mostly instrumental, does a very good job of getting me into the mood of the album, and then continues as a "stage" for the musicians to play some wonderful intricate music. The same is heard on The Plagues. There you hear an attractive form of symphonic-prog, jazzy at times, which simply captivates me as I listen to it and make all the downsides of the album go away. This side has a grandiose sound and shows their virtuosity (Burning Bush, The Parting, The Plagues) and changes to a jazzier and heavier/retro style (Down From The Mountain, which also has, opposite from the other songs here, good and fitting vocals). The album is varied in style and mood, from the faster and upbeat bits of the starting songs to slower and emotional points as in 40 Years and The Last Climb. Canaan is a good example of a mix of these, as it goes from "slowly pacing while pondering" to "happily jumping around grinning" with its tempo and atmosphere.

As the lyrics will tell you (along with the title) this album is a concept piece based on the Bible book of Exodus where Bnei-Israel are slaves in Egypt, doing the biding of the Pharaoh and yearning for freedom. You all most probably know the story (as a child in Israel, I had to learn it in School) and its outcome so I won't go into it. I usually don't pay attention to lyrics too much, unless they are exceptionally good or moving or when they are so stupid or cheesy that it just gets in the way of my enjoyment of the music. Here, though I am not interested at the lyrical content, it doesn't get in the way for me. For the most part, the lyrics are well integrated as part of the melody and the flow of the music (Let My People Go).

I can't tell now if this is recommended for fans of the band, but for people looking for well made music with hooks and catchy melodies and good musicianship (though the overall sound is somewhat lacking to my ears), then it's worth a listen, despite what I see as some weaker points.

For PA purposes - I can't say it's an "excellent addition" but it's definitely an enjoyable listen that is well worth my time listening to it. So perhaps not a full 4 stars, but close enough.

 The Clever Use of Shadows  by NATHAN MAHL album cover Studio Album, 1999
3.95 | 54 ratings

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The Clever Use of Shadows
Nathan Mahl Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by apps79
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars In 1984 Nathan Mahl disbanded for the first time due to Guy LeBlanc's personal issues.From that point begins a long period of revival's and demises of the group, always headed by Guy LeBlanc, with an extreme number of line-up changes.During this period Leblanc and Nathan Mahl recorded several tracks, never published, and he even gave birth to the short-lived project Mahl Dynasty.Around this time, mid-90's, he also met drummer Alain Bergeron.In 1997 LeBlanc established his own label Mahl Productions in order to promote Nathan Mahl's first album and discussed another comeback of the group.He was joined by guitarist Jose Bergeron and original bassist Donald Prince, along with Alain Bergeron, eventually putting up the band's sophomore album ''The Clever Use of Shadows'' after some fifteen years of silence and eight hard months of recording.

It is a great delight to see such a talented composer as LeBlanc finally returning with Nathan Mahl, as the group had a ton of talent to just fall into obscurity.The new album is a beautiful Symphonic/Fusion affair along the lines of HAPPY THE MAN with also heavy inspirations from ALLAN HOLDSWORTH, UK and GENTLE GIANT.Virtuosic and highly technical musicianship is combined with striking melodies and smoother solos to result a work of sheer beauty for the most of its part.LeBlanc's talent is evident all the way, from the intelligent use of clavinet to the superb organ moves and the Fusion-inclined use of synths.The rest of the crew is also impressive.Among the tightest rhythm sections you will hear, Alain Bergeron and Don Prince give rise to some powerful grooves, while Jose Bergeron is an absolute monster, torturing his guitar.From swirling solos to captivating melodies, it is a real pitty he did not move on with the band for some further releases.''The Clever Use of Shadows'' is filled with long tracks with both refined and bombastic moments, characterized by skillful performances, powerful time changes and mindblowing breaks of first class.And despite the overall quite modern production, there is still a strong 70's feeling to be found in these very good arrangements.

If you are talking about top-notch Prog/Fusion albums, Nathan Mahl's second offering should be among your main priorities.Adventurous, challenging yet memorable music with lots of different styles blended in a strongly consistent mix.Highly recommended.

 Exodus by NATHAN MAHL album cover Studio Album, 2008
3.99 | 44 ratings

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Exodus
Nathan Mahl Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by Jegheist2009

5 stars This cd is based on the book of Exodus,Nathan Mahl has been around for years never fails to dissappoint.Those who dont know,Amasseffer from Isreal wrote part 1 of trilogy based on this book.Now we have Mahls concept on one disc,This is stellar band Guy Leblanc leader of this band has never run out of ideas.His Heretic Trilogy is awesome,I Love part 3 best cuz it one long epic and dominated by keybords vice versa..

1)Burning Bush-This song bout how God talked to Moses thru an burning bush.The Fire represents how God is so birght,He had to use fire.Other wise his glory be to bright for Moses to stand. God is like self-consuming fire.He Is Helios,The God of the Sun in greek mytholgy. To much Sun casues droughts and fires anyways,According to science.

2) Let My People Go-This song is bout how Moses,Heard from God to let his people go.Otherwise there be consequences,Anytime in bible there gonna be destruction.God gives them warning ahead of time,But do they listen no.Pharoah wanted to keep God's people in captivity,Thats why he sent the plagues.He begged Moses,To tell God stop this i'll let them. God did so he didnt keep his promise,So he sent nother plague it repeated.Eventually He let them go,But chased thim thru red sea all his soldiers died.

3)Down From the Mountain-God gave Moses Sermon on the mount,To set rules for the world since they had no boundaries.They thought they could worship golden calfs etc,Get away with it.Murder etc vice versa,Giveing us the 10 commandents To bring balance in this world.Without order there is chaos without laws.Law is not made for man,It to protect the people round you..

4)40 years-Isrealites wondered thru the desert,For 40 years to get to the promised land.They complained bout mana,So God gave them quail they complained bout that also.Eventually God told Moses,To hit the rock so many times.But he didnt listen,He was so sick of his people not listening.He wanted the promised land then,Since he disobeyed they could not enter when they got there. Obedience is always better then Sacrifice..

5)The Last Climb-Moses climbed the mount,One more time to get the Ten Commandents this time they did'nt break..When are we gonna climb the moutain,One last time.Say Hey God I let go my will,I will make it to top this time.I have enough faith,I trust you let go of my will surrender to yours..

6)Prince Of Freedom-By Moses listening to God,Telling Pharoah let my people go.He Became God's Prince,By him listening the Isrealites were set free from egypt..Do know Jesus is prince,He gave his life so that we can have freedom in heaven one day be perfect..We also have freewill should use it to do good not bad..

 Heretik Volume I: Body of Accusations by NATHAN MAHL album cover Studio Album, 2000
3.41 | 32 ratings

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Heretik Volume I: Body of Accusations
Nathan Mahl Jazz Rock/Fusion

Review by slipperman
Prog Reviewer

2 stars 2.5 stars.

I can't help but come away with respect for Nathan Mahl after laying ears on this album. But I can't say they've got another fan either. I purchased this album blind, liking some of the descriptions and reviews I'd read. But it's a letdown, as I was expecting something different.

The major flaw here is not the playing, as that is clearly of a high standard. It's the production that I can hardly get past. Guitars are thin and powerless, and the drums sound like "drums" (ie. stiff and artificial, like a drum machine). Even the keyboards, which take most of the main melodies, sound more Casio than Korg. Despite a good degree of influence from '70s jazzrock/prog, there's also too much neo-prog here, a sub-genre I can do without (the beginning of "Heretik Part II" is but one sour spot). More '80s Camel than '70s Camel, if you know what I mean. I also hear some late '80s era Rush (more in sonic terms than performance, as Nahan Mahl are much more into noodling than Rush were then). Of note are the vocals in the middle of "Heretik Part I", uncannily like '90s era Peter Hammill...almost cloned even, but who better to emulate?

Plenty of good playing, great ambition too (songs are lengthy) but nothing sticks very well and the recording is simply awful. Those dirty, "imperfect" early '70s recordings all sound better than this. When it comes to mostly-instrumental jazz-rock, look toward Mahavishnu Orchestra, Secret Oyster, Brand X, Return To Forever and Bruford. Against those, Nathan Mahl, at least this album, may be disappointing to you too.

Thanks to ProgLucky for the artist addition. and to NotAProghead for the last updates

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