AtomicCrimsonRush
Spiritual Fusion of Rock, Metal and Jazz - welcome to Visual Cliff
What a pleasant surprise. My feelings are they play great rhythmic jazz fusion music with some heavy distorted guitar riffing, very low and chunky with serene streams of keyboard washes. Beautiful at times and broken with jagged guitar motifs that lock in and capture the tracks with admirable precision. All instrumental and highly engaging and uplifting music. Not sure why all the scripture references because there is no scripture read but it makes a nice change from listening to all the doom and gloom of a lot of prog rock. This is Spiritually exhilarating in contrast.
1. Piercing the skies (Psalm 33) The rhythmical metrical patterns are fractured and progressive. Mal's splintered drum beats are prevalent throughout to compliment the estranged guitars of Perez. Klan's Piano layered underneath adds to the instrumental prowess of the band. One of the best tracks on offer.
2. The endless generation (Psalm 49) A more mainstream approach with this track. Settles into a jazz drum pattern mid way through. Very catchy melodies and uplifting music. The metal riffing guitars are excellent to break up all the quieter moments. I love that guitar sound.
3. Spirit filled (Psalm 96). Another very well executed guitar motif and quirky time sig that keeps the metronome swinging. Great guitar work on this again, some wah wah style, and lots of clean chord playing.
4. Conquering Mind (Psalm 118). Another gentle, warm track sounding a little like Tommy Emmanuel, a Christian guitar instrumentalist extraordinaire. The guitars really soar on this track, and pulsate to the jazz drumming. Beautiful and lilting from end to end. Heavier guitars crash in at the end but they are never overbearing and provide a welcome contrast.
5. Leap ff faith (Psalm 115). (can someone fix that typo on the track list here!) This begins heavier with short stabs of 2 note structures, and then a wonderful clean guitar lead overlayed. One of the highlights of the album, heavily reliant upon Perez's metal sounding guitar riffs and solo work.
6. For all she is. A nice gentle guitar instrumental. Pleasant sounding and warm throughout.
7. Wisdom's call. Great guitar harmonics begin the track and then the very warm sounds of guitar picking from Perez. The keyboard washes are excellent and add to an ambience of melancholia and quietude. The distorted guitar crunches in soon and there is a blistering lead break that follows. All played to perfection by the trio and another highlight on this album.
8. Rapture is the longest track and begins with a great heavy riff that is distorted and aggressive. Perez really excels on this track. My favourite track easily, that locks into a huge riff and excellent lead guitar solos. There are many riffs on this track and it never slows down or gets dull. This is a showcase of guitar and off kilter jazz drumming. The piano is a subtle addition.
Visual Cliff are worth listening to without a doubt and some of the best instrumentals I have heard in a long while. Listen to it and make your own mind up, but this is a very pleasant surprise.