Crossover Prog Review: : Different Light-Binary Suns (Part 1 – Operant Condition)

Release Date: January 17, 2020

Label: Progressive Gears Records

Website
 

The band, Different Light, was initially formed in 1994 in Malta. The first of four albums were released in 1996, All About Yourself. In 1999, the band disbanded and later, in 2004, Trevor Tabone, an original member, reformed the band in the Czech Republic. Three albums have followed from this reformed band, Icons That Weep (2009), The Burden Of Paradise (2016) and the album in this review, Binary Suns (2020).

The current lineup of the band is Trevor Tabone (vocals/keyboards), Petr Lux (guitar/backing vocals), Jirka Matousek (bass) and David Filak (drums). Binary Suns has been an album I have looked forward to hearing, as the previous release I found to be a stunning work. It is fair to say that I have in no way been disappointed now that Binary Suns has been issued.

Opening the album is “Amphibious” (8:51) which is a mini-suite made up of four parts. This starts with a piano intro into a repeated passage that ebbs and flows and carries the listener along. Around the 1:30 minute mark, there is a simple piano theme, backed by a soaring guitar which leads to the vocals and a superb piano backing by Trevor. The melody is a real hook that builds up and moves along with those crystal-clear vocals catching the ear of the listener. Just before the 6:00 minute mark, the tempo drops to leave just the vocals and piano as the mainstay, before returning to the more involved melodious, harmonious part of the track. At just under 9:00 minutes, this is a stunning track, carried off and out with a superb piece of guitar work by Petr.

A shorter track, “Faith” (4:09) continues the harmonious smooth vocals so prevalent on the opening track. Although not too obvious, there is a hook that edges into your mind and “plants its feet firmly.” The piano again is the major instrument and I find it refreshing that it is the main keyboard used. More keyboards join the piano as well as some terrific guitar riffs. This is another superb track that fades out with the sound of a rainstorm. 

“Spectres And Permanent Apparitions” (21:31) is track three, the longest track on Binary Suns and is in seven parts. By this track, the listener should be aware that this is an exceptional album and the changes in tempo throughout the 21+ minutes merge smoothly and flow easily allowing the listener to drift along, immersed in the music. Little hooks are scattered liberally throughout the track and weave in and out, acting almost as touchstones on the 21+ minute journey. This is a band that works as a very tight unit and appears to be totally in tune with each other.

Binary Suns is a superb release and takes the amazing music contained on album 3, The Burden Of Paradise, to a higher level. It may only be March but I think that I have already found one of my “best of 2020” albums. All I have to say about Binary Suns (Pt 1 Operant Condition) is “do yourself a huge favor and buy it at the earliest opportunity.” I am close to 100% sure that no-one will be disappointed.

Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson - Prog Rock Music Talk Staff
March 31, 2020

Tracks:
1. Amphibians (8:45)
   a) Water
   b) Land
   c) Sky
   d) The Message

2. Faith (4:12)

3. Spectres and Permanent Apparitions (21:31)
   a) Ataraxia
   b)Two Shows
   c) Small Mercies
   d) Hand Of Providence
   e) BarBrera
   f) Synestesia
   g) Midas Gold

4. The Answer (3:47)

5. Two Faces (7:42)

6. On The Borderline (10.45)
 a) Talking To Strangers
 b) Seduction
 c) Obsession
 d) Vindication
 e) Demonic
 f) Now Just Go Away   

Progressive Rock Review: Different Light-The Burden of Paradise

Release Date: 29th February 2016
Label: User Friendly Records
Website


 The band, Different Light, was originally formed in Malta back in 1994 and released the debut album, All About Yourself, in 1996. They spent some time touring to promote the album and released a mini album, but then split up and thus ended chapter 1 in the story of Different Light.


Fast forward to 2008 and one of the original members of the band decided to reform Different Light, this time based in the Czech Republic and this resulted in the release of another full length album, Icons That Weep, in 2009. Continuing on from this point has seen the release of the newest album, The Burden Of Paradise, earlier this year. 

The band on The Burden Of Paradise is a 4-piece, comprising Trevor Tabone (vocals, keyboards), Jirka Matousek (bass), Petr Matousek (drums) and Petr Lux (guitars, backing vocals) and the album is a 9 track release with a playing time in excess of 66 minutes.

There are two long suites on the album which are made up of several sections, “In The Grand Scheme of Things” (22:20) which is made up of 8 parts and “Eternal Return” (14:13) comprising 6 parts. Not surprisingly the former track is the longest on offer and the shortest is “Mare Ibrium” at 1:17 minutes.
The opening opus, as there is no other way to describe the 8 part suite, on The Burden Of Paradise is “In The Grand Scheme of Things” and is an amazing journey over the 22+ minutes. The track switches tempos, has some superb keyboard work from Trevor, some amazing guitar riffs, themes and melodies by Petr L and vocals which fit the changing musical styles like a glove as the track progresses from the full band thundering workout sections to the delicate ballad style sections. I should also point out the amazing playing of the powerhouse of the band, Jirka, on drums and Petr M, on bass, form the musical foundation to everything. 

As this opening track progresses, you realize that you are listening to something very special and by the closing notes of the 22+ minutes, you are totally convinced of that fact.

The shorter tracks on The Burden Of Paradise, “Voice of Outside” (5:38), “A St. Martin’s Summer” (3:07) and the 5 tracks that escort the album out, “Transient Dream” (5:25), “Mare Ibrium” (1:17), “In Love and War (Love)” (3:35), “In Love and War (War)” (6:34) and “All For You” (4:25), although very different in some styles, have that superb anchoring sound of the piano/keyboards and the excellent themes from Petr L on guitar.

The second suite on The Burden Of Paradise, “Eternal Return” (14:13) is another truly stunning piece of work. Commencing with a gentle piano theme, the suite starts in slow ballad style and progresses along with the band picking up a little bit of steam, with the clear powerful vocals entering along the way. The movement through different tempo changes, maintain the interest of the listener and, almost disappointingly, the 14+ minutes of this majestic track have come to an end.

This album is unashamedly grounded in 70’s style progressive rock, superbly played by an excellent group of musicians. At once, depending on your age, you feel very comfortable with this retro-style, and while there are no sudden ventures off into the realms of experimental areas, prog rock, prog metal, symphonic prog and ballad all combine to provide an amazingly satisfying listen.

This album has nudged itself into my top releases of the year and both suites have featured on The Ancient One radio show. I would recommend that you give Different Light a moment, well, the time it takes to listen to the first suite, “In The Grand Scheme of Things,” and I can almost guarantee that you will be clearing a small space on your CD shelves to accommodate this release.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: In The Grand Scheme of Things, Voice of Outside, Eternal Return

Tracks: 
1 In The Grand Scheme Of Things
    i     The Schemer Wakes
    ii    Letters For Alice
    iii   Happiness
    iv   The Stalker Walks
    v    Pascal’s Wager
    vi   Out Of The Goldilock’s Zone
    vii  Together There
    viii  The Schemer Sleeps

2. Voice of Outside
3. A St Martin’s Summer
4. Eternal Return
   i     New Promise
   ii    At First Light
   iii   Nectar Junky
   iv   A Carpathian Day
   v    Default Setting Escape
   vi   Waking Moment

5. Transient Dream
6. Mare Ibrium
7. In Love and War (Love)
8. In Love and War (War)
9. All for You

Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-Sr. Reviewer Prog Rock Music Talk
May 4, 2016
Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk
 

Progressive Rock Review: Different Light-The Burden of Paradise

Release Date: 29th February 2016
Label: User Friendly Records
Website


 The band, Different Light, was originally formed in Malta back in 1994 and released the debut album, All About Yourself, in 1996. They spent some time touring to promote the album and released a mini album, but then split up and thus ended chapter 1 in the story of Different Light.


Fast forward to 2008 and one of the original members of the band decided to reform Different Light, this time based in the Czech Republic and this resulted in the release of another full length album, Icons That Weep, in 2009. Continuing on from this point has seen the release of the newest album, The Burden Of Paradise, earlier this year. 

The band on The Burden Of Paradise is a 4-piece, comprising Trevor Tabone (vocals, keyboards), Jirka Matousek (bass), Petr Matousek (drums) and Petr Lux (guitars, backing vocals) and the album is a 9 track release with a playing time in excess of 66 minutes.

There are two long suites on the album which are made up of several sections, “In The Grand Scheme of Things” (22:20) which is made up of 8 parts and “Eternal Return” (14:13) comprising 6 parts. Not surprisingly the former track is the longest on offer and the shortest is “Mare Ibrium” at 1:17 minutes.
The opening opus, as there is no other way to describe the 8 part suite, on The Burden Of Paradise is “In The Grand Scheme of Things” and is an amazing journey over the 22+ minutes. The track switches tempos, has some superb keyboard work from Trevor, some amazing guitar riffs, themes and melodies by Petr L and vocals which fit the changing musical styles like a glove as the track progresses from the full band thundering workout sections to the delicate ballad style sections. I should also point out the amazing playing of the powerhouse of the band, Jirka, on drums and Petr M, on bass, form the musical foundation to everything. 

As this opening track progresses, you realize that you are listening to something very special and by the closing notes of the 22+ minutes, you are totally convinced of that fact.

The shorter tracks on The Burden Of Paradise, “Voice of Outside” (5:38), “A St. Martin’s Summer” (3:07) and the 5 tracks that escort the album out, “Transient Dream” (5:25), “Mare Ibrium” (1:17), “In Love and War (Love)” (3:35), “In Love and War (War)” (6:34) and “All For You” (4:25), although very different in some styles, have that superb anchoring sound of the piano/keyboards and the excellent themes from Petr L on guitar.

The second suite on The Burden Of Paradise, “Eternal Return” (14:13) is another truly stunning piece of work. Commencing with a gentle piano theme, the suite starts in slow ballad style and progresses along with the band picking up a little bit of steam, with the clear powerful vocals entering along the way. The movement through different tempo changes, maintain the interest of the listener and, almost disappointingly, the 14+ minutes of this majestic track have come to an end.

This album is unashamedly grounded in 70’s style progressive rock, superbly played by an excellent group of musicians. At once, depending on your age, you feel very comfortable with this retro-style, and while there are no sudden ventures off into the realms of experimental areas, prog rock, prog metal, symphonic prog and ballad all combine to provide an amazingly satisfying listen.

This album has nudged itself into my top releases of the year and both suites have featured on The Ancient One radio show. I would recommend that you give Different Light a moment, well, the time it takes to listen to the first suite, “In The Grand Scheme of Things,” and I can almost guarantee that you will be clearing a small space on your CD shelves to accommodate this release.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: In The Grand Scheme of Things, Voice of Outside, Eternal Return

Tracks: 
1 In The Grand Scheme Of Things
    i     The Schemer Wakes
    ii    Letters For Alice
    iii   Happiness
    iv   The Stalker Walks
    v    Pascal’s Wager
    vi   Out Of The Goldilock’s Zone
    vii  Together There
    viii  The Schemer Sleeps

2. Voice of Outside
3. A St Martin’s Summer
4. Eternal Return
   i     New Promise
   ii    At First Light
   iii   Nectar Junky
   iv   A Carpathian Day
   v    Default Setting Escape
   vi   Waking Moment

5. Transient Dream
6. Mare Ibrium
7. In Love and War (Love)
8. In Love and War (War)
9. All for You

Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-Sr. Reviewer Prog Rock Music Talk
May 4, 2016
Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk