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TThere is an amazing social consciousness that is getting
larger and larger in the progressive rock music scene. Whether
it’s personal relationship issues or the environment, more
and more bands are taking up the torch and speaking out about
what’s going on around us. And that’s without question a good
thing. Which brings me to the third release from the Maryland,
USA band Odin’s Court entitledDeathanity.***
The quintet know as Odin’s Court formed back in 2001
and for this release features the traditional progressive
rock instrument lineup. The band consists of Matt Brookins
(vocals, guitar), John Abella (drums), Savino Palumbo (keyboards),
Craig Jackson (bass) and Rick Pierpont (guitar).***
With wide-ranging influences from Pink Floyd to Yes and
Tool to Dream Theater there’s a lot of varied music to take
in. Stylistically the music of Odin’s Court is hard edged
progressive rock with equal moments of symphonic and metal.
The first track “Terracide” (4:44) is essentially moody atmospherics
with all kinds of voice clips of people talking about different
aspects of mankind’s actions on the planet, which then goes
into a heavy prog-metalish riff to launch track two “Volatilestial”
(7:30) before sliding nicely into a style that could easily
pass for a heavy Pendragon track. Even with the much heavier
third track “Manifest Destiny” (5:15) there are moments with
a Pendragon feel, especially with the vocals. Many of the
CD’s 12 tracks slide into one another and the sound is lush,
even thick with tones and notes. The guitars can be gut wrenchingly
heavy one moment and then softly acoustic the next such as
the beginnings of “Oceanica Toxica” (5:56). This track bounces
back and forth between crunching guitars, softer acoustic
sections, saw tooth synth lead lines, strange polyrhythm’s
and some fantastic power chord crescendos. This is one amazing
piece of music. And so it goes. Deathanity is loaded with
grand musical moments and majestic keyboards that provide
layers of ambience and symphonic support to the musical proceedings.
And throughout are the recurring voice clips of individuals
talking about mankind’s present and future condition. It gets
mighty intense, but maintains a positive and upbeat tone.
There’s even a way-cool version of “Ode to Joy” (3:46).***
It would be easy to just call this prog-metal but that
would be a mistake although there’s no question it will find
plenty of listeners in that sub-genre of prog. But there is
a lot more going on musically to hold the interest of symphonic
prog fans as well. If you enjoy the music of the bands mentioned
or even bands like Cairo, Shadow Gallery or Magellan.Odin’s
Court is a disc you’ll want to grab hold of. Deathanity works
on many levels and undoubtedly will appeal to a wide cross
section of progressive rock fans. It’s a great release.
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