NEW SUN

New Sun hail from the Silicon Valley in California with multi-instrumentalist Christopher Scott Cooper and guitarist D.L. Erickson as the original members and Alex Kley (bass) and Scott Landucci (drums) joining soon after the band's formation in 1993.Landucci would leave his place to Chris Trujillo the next year and this core recorded the band's debut ''Fractured'', released indepedently in 1995.The album can be purchased through Blue Seven Audio, a recording label established by Christopher Scott Cooper.

Combining the Power guitar-Rock of RUSH and some of KING CRIMSON's extreme workouts, New Sun appear as a Heavy Prog group with an intense tendency towards powerful rhythms and complicated instrumental passages.The limited use of keyboards and the strong presence of the two guitarists result a dynamic and at moments raw guitar-driven style with both groovy and adventurous moments, while the vocals of Copper have sort of a metallic edge.''Fractured'' offers ten compositions, divided into catchy vocal deliveries, powerful, heavy grooves and technical displays, while there are plenty of different atmospheres offered by the group, from the spacey mood of ''Then & now'' to the nervous and dark sound of ''Switched by remote''.Quie often the group flirts with a more Prog Metal-oriented sound akin to QUEENSRYCHE with deep lyrical content and nice instrumental diversity.The two guitarists, as being the band's leading figures, deliver some great solos, impressive riffs and FRIPP-ian complex breaks, strengthening New Sun's technical efficiency.

Anyone fond of band's in the vein of TILES will love New Sun.Guitar-driven Power Prog Rock with a wide spectrum of different song structures, likely to please all fans of Prog Rock music.Recommended.

3 years later in spring of 2001 New Sun comes with third album named Expectations. Well my expectations were that this release to be as good as previous one. Still, ok maybe more mature and little polished then previous two works, Expectations offers some good spacey heavy prog arrangements. No big diffrences between this one and Affects in overall sound, but pieces like opening track Mammoth, the title track . Expectations who is by far the best piece of the album and among the best they ever done, excellent Rush like guitar passages and heavy drumming with some complex moves and twists. The atmosphere is in parts more relaxed and without that forced moments that appear on Affects, Heavy prog played with balls and with heart, the problem is that this band is little known and for sure needs far more attention even is not among the top bands of the genre. Decent is the word to describe this album and this band in general. 3 stars again.

New Sun is somehow an unknown band in prog circles even they release 4 albums to date. They are from USA formed in early '90s. The second album from 1998 named Affects is a trip in heavy prog realm with some great guitar parts and dark atmosphere. Also they incorporated in their sound some space rock passages that gives overall a fairly decent experince to the listner. The riffs and sound remind me in places of King Crimson and even some Rush passages are to be found here, but are all melted with their own twists. This album is ok, good no doubt but some parts are little forced in my opinion, like for instance in pieces like FYB (the Deceptionist) or "Cause & Effect". There are also some highlights like Prometheus and ending track Question. So, fans of Rush at some point might give this band a try, they are ok, but I don't think is a groundbreaking release, still 3 stars to this one, good cover art.

This is NEW SUN's third studio album and it sounds more polished than the first two releases. I don't think it measures up to the first two though, but that's probably more my tastes than anything else.This is still a good record. "Mammoth" is a great way to start, as this is my favourite track. It opens with dark guitar sounds as it slowly developes.There is some riffing 2 minutes in and were really cooking now.Vocals come in as we get a contrast between light and heavy passages.We get a RUSH-like section before it turns atmospheric like the intro. It ends with the guitar crying out as were smoking again. "Cause & Effect II" features guitar, violin, drums and gentle vocals.Passionate vocals take over in an uplifting section.We are treated to some nice guitar work 4 minutes in. "Land Of Not So" reminds me of ECHOLYN for some reason.This is a fairly powerful tune.Some screaming guitar melodies 4 minutes in.The vocals are almost mono toned until he screams out. "Expectations" is divided into 7 parts and is the longest song at 10 minutes. Acoustic guitar to open with reserved vocals.The song becomes an uptempo tune driven by throbbing bass lines, as the lead guitar fires off several rounds.This is a great section. We then get a spacey passage with lots of atmosphere. Acoustic and electric guitar with vocals to end it."Time, And No Words With You" features acoustic guitar melodies throughout. "No Mas Uvas" opens with a man talking before he is cut off by heavy guitar. It turns into a RUSH-like melody with some great bass.This is my second favourite song. "Do You Wish To Know" features drifting vocals and a spacey soundscape. "Expectations Reprise" is really the first minute of the "Expectations" song. As I said this is a good record.I would probably suggest you start with their first album though.

NEW SUN's second release is not as straight forward as their debut "Fractured" as the band experiments more with spacey soundscapes on this one. It's not surprising then that fellow Americans DJAM KARET came to mind when I listened to this album. This spacey sound is in keeping with the theme (the Mind) that runs through this record. There is a line in the song "Question" that explains what this theme is about "Images stir the mind and affect our very lives".This is why the album is called "Affect" as the band shows how our endless thoughts and memories "affect" how we live our lives.

"Dark The Azure Sky" opens the record with tribal-like drumming and some scorching guitar based soundscapes.This is an amazing tune that is way too short. "Prometheus" is a song with lyrics that deal with memories and the "hours of aimless thought..." It opens with guitar- led atmospheric sounds and keys before a RUSH moment comes into play 1 1/2 minutes in. The vocals remind me of the singer for UNDER THE SUN. Heavy guitar and drums arrive and the song accelerates 4 1/2 minutes in. "Acquired Muscle Memory" is an instrumental that is very spacey and atmospheric with an eerie vibe. "Cyrus Gore" has a dark intro before we get a good rhythm with spoken vocals. The song gets heavy 3 1/2 minutes in with riffs as heavy drums follow. It becomes atmospheric until we get some blistering guitar soundscapes. The song ends with the sounds of crickets.

"Cause & Effect" is my least favourite as it's a fairly straight forward song with violin, vocals and guitar. I still like this one though and the guitar reminds me of Lifeson. "...But For The Gleam In Her Eye" is another instrumental. This one has a chilling atmosphere as sequencers and keyboards create the sounds. "FYB(The Deceptionist)" is a song about a former friend who was a liar and deceiver, and how this person became this way in their mind first. The song also relates that if this person had only "opened up their mind" they could have been different, but it's too late now (to save their friendship). The song opens with some ripping guitar as I am again reminded of RUSH. Vocals come in followed by a dark mood. Some great guitar 4 1/2 minutes in and an extended instrumental ends the tune. "Question" is dedicated to a friend who died at around 23 years of age. It again deals with memories and the mind related to this person. The music features a lot of guitar. I like the guitar melodies and the guitar soundscapes that paint the background.

Overall I prefer their debut to this one but not by much. In the liner notes Christopher Scott the band leader thanks "Ian Anderson, and the members of RUSH for constant inspiration throughout my life".

I think if I had to describe NEW SUN's sound I would say they blend RUSH with some Fripp like guitar melodies, and out of this comes their own special prog cocktail.

The first song "Intro" is an instrumental that opens with what sounds like synths, as drums and Fripp like guitar melodies follow. Great track ! "The Sprawl" features some good vocals and it has a bit of a dark undercurrent to it, as guitars grind away. It's kind of cool to hear the sampling of sounds from the "street". This is in connection with the songs title (you know, urban sprawl). "Glass" is another fantastic tune that opens with angular guitar sounds.There is a good beat to this one as tasteful guitar melodies come and go. A definite RUSH feel to the guitar tone. What a beautiful sound to the drum and guitar melody 4 minutes in.The angular guitar melodies are back 5 minutes in. "Then & Now" is another amazing tune. It's a mellower, spacey song with great atmosphere.

"Remembering You" features both male and female vocals in another song with a great climate. "Switched By Remote" is a powerful song that has a darker mood and a heavier sound. Some excellent guitar in this one as there is again a RUSH vibe going on here. There are spoken words that respond to the intense vocals.Terrific song. "Deathbird" has some theatrical vocals as well as some nice mellow passages of guitar.There is an IRON MAIDEN sounding guitar melody too. "Earthlost" is probably my favourite track. It opens with the sounds of the wind blowing. I can't say enough about this song. The lush soundscapes and the shifts in mood and tempo. Nice. "Lifeforce" is a lighter song with some tasteful guitar throughout. "Indecisions" opens with the sound slowly rising, as we hear some intricate guitar melodies.This sounds like a RUSH/KING CRIMSON mixture ! Some great atmospheric guitar as well.

This is a fantastic debut from my American neighbours to the south. Can't wait to check out their other releases !