OBLIVION DAYS

If you happened to have read my recent review on Erik Norlander's Into the Sunset, then you may have noticed my mention of the Rocket Scientists, who are Los Angelites, Erik Norlander - keyboards and Mark McCrite - guitar/vocals, who, on this album added guest musicians Tommy Amato - drums, Neil Citron - guitar, Greg Ellis - percussion, Tony Franklin - bass, Lana Lane - vocals(who has some 10 albums to her credit), Arjen Anthony Lucassen - guitar(who has some 9 albums to his credit), and Don Schiff - Bass

Rocket Scientists music is heavy melodic progressive rock / metal with some subservient vocal passages from McCrite and Lane. Lane of course is Norlander's wife and he usually backs her on her projects. The rest of the guest musicians have all guested on one or more of A. A. Lucassen's projects (Ayreon, Ambeon and Space Metal), thus giving this album an Ayreonesque sound, sans the Sci-fi/Fantasy themes.

Highlight Songs

First track, "Dark Water Part Three", is a short instrumental that segues into "Aqua Vitae", a very accessible catchy number that, except for it's 6:28 length, would fit at home on the radio. McCrite's voice is understated but quite pleasant.

"Oblivion Days" is a treat! Originally written by Norlander for ELP, they broke up before they could record it, so here it is. It has a slow chugging beat with McCrite's vocals and some really excellent keyboard and guitar playing within the somewhat bombastic attitude.

"Space: 1999, an instrumental, is apparently the theme song to the old British sci-fi series. It starts out with some militaristic or marching band type drums and intricate percussion throughout and Norlander's keyboards have a Rick Wakeman feeling.

"Escape" at ten minutes is a long one. Starting out slowly with an acoustic guitar and McCrite's pleasant vocals but the pace picks up on the choruses. The center instrumental part is quite atmospheric at first then getting quite Jazzy. This song ends with a nifty guitar by Lucassen.

"Break the Silence" features my two favorite instruments, the piano and electric guitar. A slow tempo song again with some bluesy guitar soloing. Again, McCrite's vocals are somewhat toned down, without effects or additional harmonies.

"Dark Water Pt.4 Heavy Water" I don't know what the deal is here this is a great song for 4+ minutes and then there's 10 minutes of silence to the next song. This song starts out with the sound of waves for about 30 seconds then we get a marching beat and a definite ELP sound

Conclusion

For me it's a pleasure to write a five star review about an American Group(although several of the guests are European). For those of you that have interest in Rocket Scientists, Erik Norlander, or Lana Lane, you can get a 73 minute sampler from them for $2.99. Now you can't beat that! Log on to www.thetank.com for the good stuff.