CLASSIC ROCK PRESENTS: PROGNOSIS 3

The new "Classic Rock Presents Prog" magazine features a free CD with every issue that is jam packed with prog and at times the CDs are excellent with many new bands to discover. The mag itself has received mixed emotions from prog fans due to the content which can be mediocre at times and devoid of decent rticles or anything on the 70s era, focussing mainly on metal and the new prog bands. However the CDs are very interesting. I have discovered many bands through these CDs and Issue 3 was no exception.

"Prognosis 3" begins with an incessant guitar riffing and a dog barking. We are welcomed to the CD in style with a track from Pendragon's heaviest album "Pure" which is a pure delight. The virtuoso musicianship is enhanced by very strong vocals and melodies, and it's more like Pink Floyd than anything else. I have owned "Pure" well before this CD so it was not as exciting to hear 'Indigo' for me but for newcomers to the group this is a great track to immerse yourself in. At 13 minutes the track is a prime example of what can be expected on this excellent album.

Konchordat are represented with 'Motion' which moves along slowly with some nice guitar. The track is from "English Ghosts". I felt it was a bit mediocre for repeated listens.

Breathing Space are fronted by the gorgeous blonde vision Olivia Sparnen and with the heavy guitar sound and soprano angelic voice it is the type of sound you hear from Goth metal Nightwish, Epica, After Forever or Within Temptation. 'Clear' is a melody driven track with a catchy chorus. The keyboards and guitars take over in the instrumental break. Pleasant sound and similar to the aforementioned female fronted groups.

The Wishing Tree are also fronted by a blonde goddess, in the form of Hannah Stobart. The track is 'Hollow Hills', focussing on sweet vocals and ambience. Steve Rothery of Marillion is the master guitarist and he is joined by Porcupine Tree's John Wesley. For a group with super virtuosos you might expect a masterpiece. Instead this is a quiet, melancholy track; sweet but forgettable. Darwin's Radio have a 11 minute track on this compilation called 'Breathe It In' from "Template For a Generation". The melodies are infectious and the dextrous screaming guitar solos are incredible. Great harmonies and well executed vocals by Dec Burke are the order of the day There is a compelling instrumental to savour. A highlight of the CD.

Knifeworld are featured with 'The Wretched Fathoms' from "Buried Alone: Tales of Crushing Defeat". The sound is heavy riffing guitars, soft vocals from Kavus Torabi, and very pronounced time sigs that intersperse throughout the track. A symphonic sound ensues and this is interrelated by the distorted grungy guitars.

Porcupine Tree need no introduction and there is an edit of 'Time Flies' from "The Incident", an album that grows on you with every listen and a departure from other albums of the virtuoso musicians. The acoustic driving rocker on this CD is a good example of the album and one of the tightest performances for Steven Wilson on guitars and those wonderful vocals.

The Resonance Association are included with 'The Moment Has Passed' from "We Will have the Stars". This is an 11 minute experimental electronic progressive instrumental with a load of rhythmic delivery. There is a free form ambience with repetition of motifs, Krautrock style on this, and a psychedelic feel is created. It pulls out at 3:45 with minimalist guitars playing a jagged riff. It gets very spacey with sonic drones and weird effects midway through. At 9:21 the rhythm locks in again and it gets back to some form of normalcy. I like the way this track surprises the listener and takes its time getting from point A to B.

So overall the second Prognosis CD is a real blast with true highlights, namely Pendragon, Porcupine Tree, The Resonance Association, and Darwin's Radio. It is as good as these CDs get that are always problematic as the material is never totally masterpiece quality but this is a good selection of the new prog especially as the tracks are quite lengthy, the way prog should be. I was not led to buy any full albums from listening to this, I already owned the best selections, and really these comps from mags are designed for that reason, so my rating is 3 stars.