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COSMOSQUAD

Progressive Metal • United States


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Cosmosquad biography
COSMOSQUAD is an instrumental progressive rock/metal band from United States that formed in 1997 by Jeff Kollman (guitars), Shane Gaalaas (drums) and Barry Sparks (bass) after some serious jams at a rehearsal studio in Phoenix, Arizona.

Soon after, the band moved to a studio in L.A. to start recording what would become their first release. The self-titled album was released on Kollman's own Marmaduke Records in 1997. In 1998 the band regrouped to record Kollman's solo album "Shedding Skin". The album was considered kind of a continuation of COSMOSQUAD's self titled debut that the band often plays songs of "Shedding Skin" on their live sets.

In 2000 as the band was beginning to get ready to tour, Barry leaves the band due to commitments with other bands during the year. Christopher Maloney which Jeff and Shane already knew would play with them during the year through out L.A.

Just after the tour, in 2001 Christopher handed the bass chair back to Barry as the band was getting ready to work on their next record. For the new album the band invited different guests to expand and develop their sound. "Squadrophenia" was released and expanded the bands fan base not only in the U.S. and Japan, but in Europe too.

In 2002 the band released their "Live at the Baked Potato" a compilation of recordings of the band playing throughout L.A. Once again Barry found himself committed to other artists so Christopher took over bass duties once again for their tour.

In 2007 Barry committed himself entirely to his solo work, eventually leading to his permanent departure from the band yet the remainder members of the band continued to write material as a duo. Jeff would have to take bass duties for their next although they brought their three unofficial" bass players Christopher, Paul and Kevin to record in several songs.

In 2007 the band released "Acid Test". Eventually the band added Christopher as bass player only this time he would be Barry's permanent replacement. After several live performances the band released their first live DVD entitled "Lights, Camera, Squad!"

- Sebastian Maldonado (burritounit) -

COSMOSQUAD Videos (YouTube and more)


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COSMOSQUAD discography


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

4.14 | 21 ratings
Cosmosquad
1997
3.75 | 16 ratings
Squadrophenia
2001
3.78 | 23 ratings
Acid Test
2007
3.88 | 22 ratings
The Morbid Tango
2017

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

4.71 | 9 ratings
Live At the Baked Potato
2002

COSMOSQUAD Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

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

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

COSMOSQUAD Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Cosmosquad by COSMOSQUAD album cover Studio Album, 1997
4.14 | 21 ratings

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Cosmosquad
Cosmosquad Progressive Metal

Review by eyimen

5 stars Wooow!!! Just wow. When I was hearing the song called El Perro Vaila for the first time(which is suggested by Spotify), I thought that I should know these guys, because they are soo good. I'm listening progressive rock for 15+ years and never suprised that much. I went instantly to the full album. The suggested song was the first song of the first Cosmosquad album and it was great. Then came the second song: "Three A.m" Oh, It's hard to describe, only shivers down my spine. The guitar intro was awesome, then came the beats. This guy(Jeff Kollman) is no joke. And the rest of the album is great, no weak songs at all. Maybe the easiest description of their music is another group: "The Aristocrats". The compositions and the mood is so similar. I gave five stars to Cosmosquad, because It's already became one of my favourite albums!
 The Morbid Tango by COSMOSQUAD album cover Studio Album, 2017
3.88 | 22 ratings

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The Morbid Tango
Cosmosquad Progressive Metal

Review by Windhawk
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars US band COSMOSQUAD first appeared back in 1997 with their self-titled debut album, and for the next decade they were an active live and recording unit that issued a further two studio albums and one live album before the band seemed to take a hiatus, at least as a recording unit. One decade later they are back with "Morbid Tango", their new album, and they are already having a good go at the live circuit.

This is my first encounter with the music of Cosmosquad, and as far as first encounters go, this is one that made a grand, positive impression because of its Impeccable musicianship, clever and well composed songs, intricate and quirky, without letting go of the tapping foot dimension, with an excellent mix and production to boot. A high quality production on all levels, and a CD that merits a check by anyone that tends to enjoy the meeting of minds and styles between jazz rock and progressive metal.

 Cosmosquad by COSMOSQUAD album cover Studio Album, 1997
4.14 | 21 ratings

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Cosmosquad
Cosmosquad Progressive Metal

Review by snobb
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars Excellent debut by US power trio. Even if formally this band is placed under "progressive metal" tag, their music is heavy fusion. Mixing many influences, they sound very fresh ,energetic and groovy.

Music is fully instrumental, and main components are jazz rock fusion, funk, Latin rock ( in some places guitar sounds very Santana-like), blues rock and heavy metal. Musicianship level is virtuosic, so in combination with very funky groove they music easy catches every listener.

Heavy metal elements mostly appear in some guitar shredding and generally in guitar technique/sound, but happily doesn't destroy this tasty music too much. Guest sax player adds even more excellent jazz fusion elements in their music.

In later works band will move more towards funky heavy fusion, which will make their music even more interesting. But as debut, this album is very promising. I can recommend it as one of greatest heavy (funky) fusion works coming from late 90-s.

 Live At the Baked Potato by COSMOSQUAD album cover Live, 2002
4.71 | 9 ratings

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Live At the Baked Potato
Cosmosquad Progressive Metal

Review by snobb
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

5 stars Fantastic live album from metal fusion trio from Phoenix, Arizona. Being a classic power trio (guitar-bass-drums) they're playing energetic, complex and melodic instrumental music, mixing progressive metal with jazz-rock fusion, adding some blues-rock and funk. Excellent technique is combined with great musicianship!

Album, recorded live in great LA place, contains songs from their two previous studio albums and guitarist Jeff Kollman's solo album Shedding Skin. Album's opener is quite classic prog metal composition Sheer Drama. But starting from second song, "Fat ,Mean & Nasty", you can be hypnotised by hard funky pulsation and excellent guitar acrobatics. "El Perro Vaila" continues funky , with catchy melody and excellent guitar line in traditions of electric jazz-fusion. Somewhere in the middle of the song Latino-fusion bass solo is coming, getting some space for drum solo. All the composition is finished by electric fusion solo guitar, playing with warm Mediterranean touch!

I.N.S. Conspiracy is complex heavy fusion composition, Road To Tanzania/Tribal Trance is excellent mid-tempo modern fusion composition. Whenever I don't want to continue reviewing this album by songs, even from examples above each can feel, how different their music is. All the sound is fresh, funky, electrified guitar fusion, with some prog metal elements.

And in combination with their musical competence and musical excellence, this albums is just a gem.

Highly recommended for any metal fusion or progressive metal fan, as well as for jazz-fusion lovers ( who doesn't afraid of some heavy moments in music). One of the greatest metal fusion album I ever heard, seriously!

 Cosmosquad by COSMOSQUAD album cover Studio Album, 1997
4.14 | 21 ratings

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Cosmosquad
Cosmosquad Progressive Metal

Review by Ovidiu

4 stars I picked this first COSMOSQUAD album to review it,because I think that being in the PA pages,this album simply deserves to be here!I am badly surprised thay nobody gave a chance to write a few lines about a sensational fusion album!Also I think that this album,being a debut deserves an attention and apreciation about the huge potential of a kind of super fusion group!OK,it's not at all prog,but it's an album made by 3 fantastic musicians united under the inspired name COSMOSQUAD!The other 2 studio albums SQUADROPHENIA and ACID TEST ,plus the LIVE one are more then impressive!Led by the multi talented musician,producer,engineer and especially guitar player called JEFF KOLLMAN,COSMOSQUAD is a trio of skilled musicians,which are so talanted that the musical style proposed,give them fhe full possibility to express a huuge talent!None weak song ,a demonstration that being a very good musician and having some ideas of compositions is more than enough to produce high quality music and give satisfaction to fusion music lovers! COSMOSQUAD is the kind of band which delivers some music that can be easily improvised and they can play no matter musical style anytime,without any restriction or boundaries!In fact we have to admit that this kind of albums are made only for the passion for good music,not with a commercial purpose!EL PERRO VAILA starts in big style an album that will offer to the fusion music fans a wide range of compositions,from latino style,to hard rock tunes ,typically fusion songs in the TRIBAL TECH style sometimes and everything with class from some high caliber musicianship!Shane Gaalaas is a monster behind the drums and Barry Sparks kills literally the bass strings with fury sometimes!The guitarrero JEFF KOLLMAN is a guitar beast that offers here a little more than enough arguments to understand why he is involved in many collaborations with musicians like GLENN HUGHES,UFO,MAGNITUDE 9,HUGHES TURNER PROJECT and others.Recently his new project called BOMBASTIC MEATBALLS made some vawes with an impresive fusion album! In conclusion COSMOSQUAD is a sure value in fusion music and they have beautiful years ahead to play this kind of music that is the expression of the fact that virtuosos will never dissapear! 4.5 STARS indeed!
Thanks to burritounit for the artist addition.

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