FAR FROM HOME

Feeling right at home

Following the release in 2008 of the critically acclaimed (and mighty fine) DeeExpus début album "Half way home", founder Andy Ditchfield decided that it would be a good idea to play some live gigs. The only problem was that he had recorded the album virtually single handed, with vocalist Tony Wright being the only other full band member as such. Thus he set about putting together a proper band line up, calling in bassist Ian Raine and second lead guitarist, Steve Wright (Tony's brother), both of whom had made guest contributions to the studio album. The line up was completed by drummer Kev Jager and keyboard player Marc Jolliffe.

The band's fist official gig took place in late 2008, but this set from February 2009, recorded in Katowice, Poland, represents the first opportunity for most of us to witness a performance the band.

With only one album release to their name, it is not surprising that all the tracks from "Half way home" are included here, albeit in a completely different sequence. There is little variation from the originals, the focus being on tight renditions which capture the essence of their studio counterparts. One excellent bonus though is the inclusion of one non album track, "Red" (not the King Crimson song). This turns out to be one of the highlights of the set, the audience reaction afterwards reflecting the power and majesty of the piece. In a lighter, bizarre moment during after performing the song, the band ask the audience to pose for a photo taken from the stage!

The main set closes with the 17 minute title track from "Half way home", a modern day prog classic indeed. The encore contains the two songs from the album not thus far performed.

It seems this performance was part of a prog festival in Katowice, so the audience was not there just to see DeeExpus. On that basis, and remembering that the audience would at best be only vaguely familiar with any of the music, it is to the credit of both band and audience that the performance is received with such enthusiasm.

If you have not yet had the opportunity to hear DeeExpus, I would recommend either the studio album or this live set as an excellent introduction. Whether you're a fan of Porcupine Tree, Marillion, or something more neo-symphonic such as IQ or Pendragon, the music here will undoubtedly impress.

The set runs to around 70 minutes in total, with the DVD extras consisting of a lengthy documentary plus an interview with Andy Ditchfield and Tony Wright. There's also the usual text biography, discography (brief!), photos etc.

With due thanks to Metal Mind Productions, whose attention to detail in recording and packaging the DVD is well up to their usual exemplary standards.

Deeexpus's live in Poland is quite an achievement for a debutante band on its first album and from the opening snow-plow heavy 'prog 'Greed' , the general impression is where has my jaw fallen? Darn, I need my mouth to talk! Well, my fingers will do all the work; at least they have been left intact! All the musicians impress mightily, bass monster Ian Raine looks utterly menacing, keyboardist Marc Jolliffe quite the contrary, while Andy Ditchfield and Steve Wright interlock their fretboards convincingly. Drumster Kev Jager pummels his kit with complete abandon and vocalist Tony Wright sings like the wind. What can be more pleasing?

'Pttee' is a barely veiled homage to Porcupine Tree, possessing the same clanging contrasts between groove psychedelia, raging electric onslaughts and tight rhythms. The prowess is deafening, between Ditchfield burning up the guitar and the pooling of achingly beautiful emotions, deftly portrayed by the hearty lead vocalist.

'One 8' is where their ability to craft lush symphonics comes to the forefront, a talented vision of melody, deep felt passion and structural instrumentalism. From the initial pastoral serenity painted by puerile piano tappings, the sweet lullaby begins to take shape and penetrate profoundly into the bliss. Suddenly as expected, the mood turns slowly more aggressive and then outright speedy, axes ablaze and riffing hard and fast, Raine pushing it all along like a death-metal he-man (he looks the part, too). A Wishbone Ash-like dual guitar barrage will undoubtedly elate the fans of such parallel forces at work.

'Pointless Child' is even more sedate, a sadly distressing affair, with mortal lyrics and a deadly chorus, using multiple backing vocals with guitars unafraid to buzz in the background. Breezy, crystalline and vibrant. The sing-along qualities are nothing to pooh- pooh, it's plain exhilarating! Loopy synths and all.

'Red' (no, not the KC song) is an original non-album comp that succeeds astrally, wonder why it never made it to record as it's a lovely slice of classic British prog, with all the usual suspects ingrained within the fabric of the song. Soulful singing and elegant accompaniment, flayed first by a terrific organ rumble, vibrating merrily and then slain by a driving axe solo full of vigor and sizzle. A colossal wave finale sets this one down to rest, Raine and Jager really punishing.

They finish off their brief opening slot of a multiple billing in Katowice with the bold, daring and epic 17 minute piece 'Half Way Home', a soon-to-be prog classic. In keeping with the theme of tragedy and despair, the subject is suicide, never an easy narrative but an epidemic nevertheless that has plagued humanity since time immemorial. This epic has all the adornments and grandiosity one could ask for but in a modern, hard-hitting format. The wah-wah pedal is used a la Steve Wilson, crashing, careening and carving crazily. Then, starkly, the forlorn mood is elevated by tape effects of an academic narration, gloomily morphing into rage, confusion and anger. Raine presses boldly on his chubby bass. Jager hits 'em hard between the eyes.

Encore, you ask? The sleeping beauty '7 Nights' puts all this magical music in perspective, entirely entertaining and riveting, wielding a huge chorus and some slithery synthesizer playing. A highlight track that has all the goods in spades (clubs, hearts and diamonds too), amazing on the debut disc and even better live! There is that unmistakable Level 42 vibe mentioned in my album review,

Knowing that 2 other more established bands were to follow, (Overhead and RPWL) the crowd showed amazing enthusiasm for the effort, a sure sign of impacting the unexpectant crowd and forging a future career. the band genuinely enjoyed themselves and the crowd. seeing is believing , what a talent here!

The slick package comes with a full CD version, bonus tracks, band interview and extra video. Yup! A star is born!

4.5 rest areas