Year : 2021
Style : Neo-Progressive Rock
Country : Canada
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 132 mb
Bio:
RED SAND was created by guitarist Simon Caron, a self-proclaimed David Gilmour, Andy Latimer, Steven Rothery, IQ, BB KING and Albert COLLINS fan. At age 18, he started a couple of progressive rock bands (FÉNIX and OCÉAN) and then left the music scene for a while. Unable to stay away from prog very long, however, he started to write again, searched for a band to perform his music and was soon surrounded by seasoned musicians most willing to oblige. Thus RED SAND was born. There has been a few personnel changes since and the band now consists of Caron himself on guitar, assisted by classically trained vocalist Stéphane Dorval, ex-DAGMAHR keyboard player Pierre Massicotte, renowed Québec bassist Mathieu Gosselin and (newcomer) drummer Perry Angellilo. They released a first album in 2004 titled 'Mirror of Insanity" and then a second a year later called "Gentry". All music and lyrics are penned by Caron.What strikes the listener is how "early-MARILLION" the band sounds without seeming to imitate them. The compositional style, breaks and moods, the Rothery-like guitar play and the Nolan-like keyboard flights all contribute to this impression - even the albums' artwork bears that early MARILLION touch; yet for some reason, it all sounds very much RED SAND. Well produced and expertly crafted, their music flows naturally and the themes blend into one another with remarkable ease. The lyrics never sound forced or imitative (the vocalist sings in English but doesn't sound at all like FISH). The band may not offer anything original in terms of style, but they do deliver first-rate neo prog that oozes charm, refinement and professionalism.Highly recommended if you're into early MARILLION, PENDRAGON, ARENA, CLEPSYDRA or SHADOWLAND.
Album:
RED SAND, known personally in 2005 with'Gentry 'released their 10th album, more and more distant from neo to Marillion. Simon Caron, an absolute Rothery fan, had even slipped down nicely with the sound of Pink Floyd on their last album; reminiscences of Camel, IQ or Pendragon can be found there. We are dealing with a concept album based on the seven deadly sins, mixed by Michel St-Père (Mystery) on beautiful progressive rock melodies.'The Sound of the Seventh Bell, Part 1' bell at the start as a memory of 'The Division Bell', a haunting dreamlike ballad, monolithic melodic neo-symphonic rock decked out with a deep and airy guitar solo and an imposing drums. 'Reichenbach' for an acoustic instrumental that starts halfway through a sensitive explosion bordering on spleen; orchestral beauty as a backdrop. 'Insatiable' and his electro overture, a bit on Keane, the loud voice as on the Jon & Vangelis association; a title with many breaks in the neo vein, their own, far from Marillion or Pink Floyd from the last album; synthetic rhythm, warm effective phrasing and incisive solos, here's it for a long river track, the voice reminiscent of the Beach Boys, the soaring rock dance, the psyche pop, a little Andalusian spaghetti, a little Alan Parsons. 'Breathing' and the bucolic ballad with a cotton wool voice, a drums that give the rhythm to dance arm in arm, the final solo melancholy and filled with hope.'The Sound of the Seventh Bell, Part 2' with symphonic intro on piano, aerial guitar and the sound of the great Genesis: its alluring synths, a Camel-like tune in the middle that sends on the progressive ethereal nimbuses, the title of the 'album in my opinion with its air which imprints itself in the head; final as in the intro of the first piece. 'The Sound of the Seventh Bell, Part 3' with a bucolic acoustic interlude time to rest, calm before 'Cracked Road' centerpiece of more than 20 minutes: intro where Gilmour invites himself, voice after 7 minutes of intro hovering over Camel and Pink Floyd; halfway through it's more psychedelic like 'Animals' with this airy 60's pop guitar; in short, drawers galore combining various influences for a thunderous melody. A finale that never ends with the guitar juggling drums, bass and keyboards. 'I Can Feel It' and the extra-track on vinyl for a syrupy slow with organ from the time when balls existed in the deep countryside, personal memory where I heard 'A whiter shade of pale' resonate and where I ' understood that the music was going to follow me for a long time.RED SAND offers us a conscientious album surfing between dreamlike and majestic moments, varying musical themes such as stories of sins, swindles, pedophilia, cruelty, abuse; a sound that becomes singular, unique, which finally departs from Simon's musical precepts and which ultimately gives more character to this album.
Line Up:
Steven Mageney - Vocals (2012-present)
Scott Leach - Guitars (1998-present) - See also: ex-Cherry Pie
Cris Stone - Bass (2013-present)
Peter Berger - Guitars (2020-present) - See also: Killer, Metal Machine, Tower of Babel, ex-Daydreamer, ex-Appearance of Nothing
Marcel Sardella - Drums (1998-present) - See also: ex-Cherry Pie
+
Ronnie Romero (lv on track 3)
Stefan Kaufmann (lg on track 4, 8, 10, 11)
Peter Östros (lg on track 12)
Johan Fahlberg (lv on track 12)
Torsten Röhre (pi, orc on track 13)
Tracklist:
01. The Sound of the Seventh Bell, Part 1 (5:44)
02. Reichenbach (4:02)
03. Insatiable (14:32)
04. Breathing (4:23)
05. The Sound of the Seventh Bell, Part 2 (7:56)
06. The Sound of the Seventh Bell, Part 3 (2:25)
07. Cracked Road (21:05)
08. I Can Feel it [bonus] (4:20)
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