CLASSIC ROCK PRESENTS PROG: PROGNOSIS

The new Classic Rock Presents Prog magazine hit the stands in May and has received mixed emotions from prog fans but it is the first UK based magazine of its type. Fully committed to the genre we all love, showcasing both the eclectic old prog such as ELP, Rush and Yes and featuring new prog such as The Reasoning and Panic Room. The CD that goes with the mag is a definite drawcard as it features new prog that I have never even heard of before.

It was a pleasant surprise. We begin with a strange female vocal with Panic Room's 'Elektra City (edit)' and it is a rocker with many prog elements.

Whimwise is featured with 'Scurry Flurries' that is an instrumental in the same vein as Mahavishnu Orchestra - a jazz fusion that really works well on a number of levels both musically and the actual structure of the track is great.

Godsticks is more mainstream hard prog with 'Only When Provoked' that took a few listens to appreciate but I like it. Mystery with Benoit David is very good. The man who is replacing Jon Anderson on the Yes Tour this year sounds excellent with a high falsetto singing the title track to 'Beneath The Veil Of Winter's Face'. A great track and well worth a listen.

The Reasoning's 'Dark Angel' is a kind of Gothic Nightwish - type track with dark lyrics from a female soprano who uses a 5 octave range and sounds very good, But I was never into this vampiric type of prog. Blood Ceremony are featured with 'Hop Toad' that is a wonderful slice of prog with many time sig changes and well played guitars and keyboards throughout. The female vocals again are once again powerfully executed. I love the Sabbath-esque riffs throughout - simple and foreboding. 'Citizen of the World' by The Treat is a catchy proggy track with acoustic flourishes and some excellent instrumental breaks. The vocal performance is well handled too. One of the best on the CD.

Diagonal are my favourite on this CD with 'Semi Permeable Men-Brain' from their debut album 'Diagonal' and I love the feel of this track which throws back to the 70s classic era. A cross between Gong and King Crimson, heavily instrumental and classic spacey style lyrics. I played this track the most and ordered the album online, and I must admit the whole album is fantastic. I love these guys and its a 10 minute piece too so you get a good sample of their prog style.

Of the I's 'Cathexis' is an alternaltive pseudo metal track with great vocals and chugging guitars. One of the best on the CD again.

Spaced Out finishes the Cd with 'Biomechanic II' another instrumental with spaced out keyboards and effects. It is another highlight of the CD.

In conclusion, Prognosis is a great free CD with a terrific Magazine. Some highlights making it worth while and its great to hear this new prog that you probably would not hear elsewhere. I was pleasantly surprised overall.

I have to admit that when I buy the Classic Rock Presents Prog magazine, the magazine is being read....... and the CDs is being used as bookmarks. This one was used as a bookmark in the Rupert Murdoch biography which I mislaid under some studio material for, well since the release date of the first issue of Classic Rock Presents Prog magazine. I think you have now sniffed out my pretty low estimations of these CDs. With Myspace and Youtube around, why issue compilation CDs like these ? In my view, there is no good reasons. The only good compilation CDs is the label compilation CDs like the Emkog Records compilation CD.

That is my views on these CDs and the 12 Classic Rock Presents Prog CDs awaiting my reviews. You are not alone in this, I also dreads these reviews.

Panic Room starts the ball. They are in my view very typical for the fashionable British scene now where the female vocalist is the visual element who drags the men in. The music is OK, but not worthy any further comments. Whimwise's jazz/fusion is OK and I would like to hear something more from them. An album or five to be more precise. Godsticks and Mystery is best bypassed. The Reasoning's female fronted gothic prog is good, but nothing more. I may check out some albums by them. Blood Ceremony = overhyped & boring. The Treat is pretty good, but nothing more. Diagonal's Canterbury pastisj makes me scurry onto Amazon or CDBaby to check out something more from them. An album for example. The final two tracks is best forgotten.

In short, this is a good bookmark and a nice way to check out some unknown bands. I prefer Myspace and Youtube though. Hence my two stars.

2 stars