CYCLES

Internet has the power to unite people and the Ghost Circus project was born this way in 2004, when American Chris Brown met Dutch Ronald Wahle through an internet forum.Sharing the same vision around music, the two musicians decided to collaborate with the help of technology and came up with an album in 2006.Both played keyboards and guitars, Brown provided also the vocals and bass parts and recorded them at the Stuffy Room Studio in USA, while Wahle provided the drums and recorded his parts at RWA Studio in The Netherlands.Brown got in touch with Shawn Gordon and the album ''Cycles'' was released by the major label ProgRock Records.

The two men did a fantastic job, despite the huge distance between them, and offer a melodic Heavy Prog album, full of energy, power and grandieur, characterized by the tremendous rhythmic parts, the great solos and the unique vocals of Chris Brown, who's voice actually would be a perfect fit for a Hard Rock band with its hoarse color.You should not expect something too complex from ''Cycles'', the focus here is on furious riffs, sharp synths and dynamic rhythmic passages, however the compositions are more than simplistic structured with three out of the nine tracks clocking at 8 minutes or long, containing some notable variations.The music is basically guitar-driven with a nice supporting role by the keyboards and a few effects and sampled sounds/instruments added for good measure in a typical contemporary Prog field.The overall sound has strong similarities with acts such as ALSO EDEN, NINE STONES CLOSE, PORCUPINE TREE or COSMOGRAF, maybe a bit more on the heavier and more accesible side of things, but the excellent choruses, the shifting climates and the very tight arrangements result an album full of enjoyable moments, that can be emotional, dramatic, sensitive or enraged.The absolute highlights of the album are the dual guitar parts provided by the duo, definitely among the preferences of all fans, who love both Rock and Prog Music.

Really strong debut with an emphasis on the rock content, while the proggy vibes are also numerous.A fantastic addition for all lovers of really energetic and passionate musicianship.Warmly recommended.