Progarchives, the progressive rock ultimate discography

PORT MAHADIA

Heavy Prog • United States


From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Port Mahadia picture
Port Mahadia biography
In 'Progressive' terms, although PORT MAHADIA may not quite be described as a super-group, accomplished and seasoned musicians from the fields of mainstream and progressive rock form the band. The debut album, 'Echoes In Time', was principally written by Cameron CASTLE (guitars) who admits his principle influences include Yngwie MALMSTEEN, Eric JOHNSON, and Stevie Ray VAUGHAN among others. He collaborated with bassist Erinn WAGGONER who wrote the lyrics. WAGGONER had previously written and played progressive & eclectic styles of music for his previous band, the Kentucky based NERO SUN.

Other members of the group include Rusty CLUTTS (drums), William O'CONNELL (keyboards) and Dave GILBERT (vocals) who has previously performed with bands REDLINE and ECHOES AIM. The completed line-up for the debut, however, features a number of impressive guest appearances including Damian WILSON (vocals:THRESHOLD), Natalie Grace CHUA's vocals, David RAGSDALE of KANSAS on violin and Hugh McDOWELL (cello, E.L.O.).

In receipt of high quality recording, production and excellent packaging, PORT MAHADIA's concept-driven debut incorporates an underlying narrative telling the story of a mariner's voyage into the unknown. Charting his adventures, survival against the odds and his longing to return safely to the loved one he has left behind, the story has a deliberately ambiguous ending. WAGGONER himself comments: "I have never done anything more complicated than this, writing an album that leads the listener and yet forces them to resolve the story in their own mind."

Although PORT MAHADIA have on balance been most appropriately included within the Heavy Progressive category, their style is also eclectic, ranging as it does from the radio-friendly ballad "Sirens Call" to the melodic metal of "Distant Shores", the classic rock influenced "Requiem Of The Mind" and the KANSAS influenced "Riding The Wind". As a consequence, their music should please the devotees of a broad cross-section of bands within the Heavy Prog, Melodic Progmetal and Art Rock/Crossover spheres.


- fandango (Jared) -

PORT MAHADIA Videos (YouTube and more)


Showing only random 3 | Search and add more videos to PORT MAHADIA

Buy PORT MAHADIA Music


PORT MAHADIA discography


Ordered by release date | Showing ratings (top albums) | Help Progarchives.com to complete the discography and add albums

PORT MAHADIA top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.54 | 8 ratings
Echoes in Time
2007
3.82 | 8 ratings
Quantum Space
2016

PORT MAHADIA Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

PORT MAHADIA Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

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

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

PORT MAHADIA Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Quantum Space by PORT MAHADIA album cover Studio Album, 2016
3.82 | 8 ratings

BUY
Quantum Space
Port Mahadia Heavy Prog

Review by Mastyrx1979

4 stars Once again Melodic Revolution Records has released a quality recording that appeals to the entire span of the progressive rock/metal spectrum. One of their recent signings is Paducah, Kentuckys' very own Port Mahadia. Coming off a eight year absence and the heels of their previous album Echos In Time, Port Mahadia have returned with their sophomore effort Quantum Space which features eight cover tracks from bands such as Rush, Dream Theater, Yes, The Beatles, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Pink Floyd, etc ... See track listing above. Quantum Space is such the most appropriate title for this venture considering the progressive span of covers the band undertook during the recording of this album. Port Mahadia have a real uncanny ability of covering some other band's songs and place their own stamp of flavor of sound on them. The covers are done with the utmost of consideration and respect as to not bore nore offend the listener, meanwhile maintaining the orginal integrity of the band who originally wrote and recorded them. Instead of a track by track analysis due to the nature of the tracks, I will focus more on highlighting the two originals on Quantum Space , Principle of Disorder and Canna . Principle of Disorder on the surface is heavily prog. However to dig deeper into the track there is so much more going on here. It is written with elements of doom and stoner rock and metal. In a era where time signatures have defined most of the prog community, Port Mahadia even incorporates well crafted guitar solos and even spoken word section. The intro begins with a huge thunderous rhythm section that seem to define the bands signature sound even more so than virtuosity. Principle of Disorder has elements of 1970's rock and metal with a modern 21st century sensibility. Canna begins with a dynamic drum intro that is soon joined in rhythmic harmony by the bass and rhythm guitar. Port Mahadia seem to be a very heavily rhythm section induced band. Canna opens up just as heavily as Principle of Disorder. Canna eventually levels out into a very avant garde atmospheric track with subtle time changes. At the 1:20 mark it is a straight away driven track in the vein of Bad Company meets Deep Purple. At the 2:20 mark it truly blisters almost into a part heavy metal part heavy progressive AOR track. Like Principle of Disorder, Canna has a little bit for every audio pallet whether progressive or straight away rock and metal. I appreciated the adventure of Quantum Space. The multiple covers where done with integrity while the band gave them its own fresh and crisp flavor and stamp on them. The two original tracks leave the listener wanting more. Melodic Revolution Records definitely has a good sign in Port Mahadia. This gets a 4/5 for the very well written originals and the carefully recorded covers.
 Echoes in Time by PORT MAHADIA album cover Studio Album, 2007
3.54 | 8 ratings

BUY
Echoes in Time
Port Mahadia Heavy Prog

Review by Rivertree
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / Band Submissions

3 stars 'Echoes in Time' is a concept album by a new prog project built around guitarist Cameron Castle and bass player Erinn Waggoner with the emphasis on melodic heavy art rock. Best-known member for me is singer Damian Wilson who returned back to THRESHOLD in July 2007. But he's not the only one to be responsible for the vocal parts. The name PORT MAHADIA is pointing out to the maritime story. That's not all of it. The cover is showing a sailing ship on the high sea, synths are serving a night surf for example and strings imitate seagulls like on the opener Prologue.

Possible centerpiece is the epic I Of The Storm with a complex song structure - embracing all the facets the album has to offer. Guitars varying with a bandwith from mainstream to metall riffing, melodic vocal dominated parts including an episode remembering at Jeff Wayne's 'War Of The World' sprechgesang. The other songs are solid - you will find balladesque parts headed by acoustic guitar, female vocals, cello and violin. But all in all the album is dominated by rocking themes based on a good rhythm section and a lot of guitar variations.

A brave output whereas I'm missing edgy moments, the unique worthwile gimmicks. Because of some transitions to the symphonic department probably a good find for Kansas and Proto-Kaw fans.

 Echoes in Time by PORT MAHADIA album cover Studio Album, 2007
3.54 | 8 ratings

BUY
Echoes in Time
Port Mahadia Heavy Prog

Review by Windhawk
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars US based band Port Mahadia has made a very promising debut album with Echoes in Time.

A concept album telling a salty sea story may not be what one might expect from a band based in Kentucky, but these guys pull this one off quite nicely. The compositions are mixed in style, with quite a few ballads, some shorter mood pieces and some tracks where the band really rock out, verging on prog metal in style. High class guitar work and excellent symphonic keyboard textures are dominating traits, violins courtesy of David Ragsdale appear on several tracks to enhance mood and atmosphere, and as a solid foundation on all tracks you'll find a solid bass line and neat drumming.

The only element lacking are killer tunes; most songs here are very good but lack that slight element that would make them extraordinary. Still, a good and solid album that fans of symphonic prog rock should check out.

Thanks to atavachron for the artist addition.

Copyright Prog Archives, All rights reserved. | Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Advertise | RSS + syndications

Other sites in the MAC network: JazzMusicArchives.com — jazz music reviews and archives | MetalMusicArchives.com — metal music reviews and archives

Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.