Classical/Heavy Metal Review: McCormick Percussion Group-Between Rock and A Hard Place

Release Date: January 13, 2015

Label: Ravello Records

Website

The McCormick Percussion Group is headed up by Robert McCormick, who is the Director of the group and Corey Harvin plays guitar while Ciro Scotto, John Cage and Dan Senn are the composers. It is an interesting collaboration and the music they create on Between Rock and A Hard Place (Plugged & Unplugged) is fascinating.

The idea of classical music meeting heavy metal is nothing new however I felt listening to this purely instrumental take on that expression to be quite attention getting. The focus is more on the percussive side of the equation however, the use of the guitar and other instruments make for some thought provoking soundscapes, it’s like listening to a movie rather than watching it yet different things jump in and out of your mind while it’s playing.

The only track under 5 minutes is “Composition for Three Voices” then at the opposite end of the spectrum is “Unplugged” clocking in at a beefy 16:24. They never bite off more they can chew regardless of the time invested into any one track.

This is very progressive music, not progressive like legendary groundbreaking bands like Yes or ELP but with the same idea and goals of intermingling two genres to come out the other side with a digestible end product for the ears. The lead off track is titled  “ I. Hard Light-Hybrid Night” It is a good warm up for what is to come. It serves as a strong introduction for a suite of compositions that have you listening over and over at first out of curiosity then that turns into awe and pure enjoyment. This will not be for everyone but what progressive music is? It depends on your taste, mood and personal preferences, just like purchasing any other product, the choice is yours. I choose to explore and expand my listening experiences and this was the perfect album to engage my senses and push me forward, to be more progressive with my ears.

“II. On Death Ground” is a bit more moody and intense, kind of like the soundtrack you would hear during a suspenseful segment of a movie. It jumps back and forth and flows like an effortless stream down a mountain. Nothing sounds forced or difficult although it may sound like cacophony at times it does all come together and make sense but it may take a few listens to get to that point of understanding. This is why I feel the first three tracks are the most important. This is the foundation to the fortress of sound being built before the story coalesces then comes to an end.

“III. Onryõ” takes you down a different road and combines some lighter parts with the hard edged guitar sounds in a much different way in that the pace is like a musical stutter step. The percussive back end holds it all together and keeps a steady rhythm so everything else seems to fall into place somehow. Trying to explain what you hear is not always the easiest thing to do but in the end it’s all dependent on the listeners view and personal aural filter if you will.

If you like progressive, fusion, experimental and or metal this is something you need to hear then decide for yourself if it is something you want more of or if the journey should be over after one trip. I took more than one trip and expect to take some more. There is a lot to process here and that is the beauty of it. 

4/5 Stars

Key Tracks: I. Hard Light-Hybrid Night, II. On Death Ground, III. Onryõ

Tracks: 
1. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “I. Hard Light-Hybrid Night”  (Ciro Scotto)
2. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “II. On Death Ground”  (Scotto)
3. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “III. Onryõ  (Scotto)
4. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “IV: Mjölnir (Crusher)”  (Scotto)
5. Five  (John Cage)
6. Rivus  (Dan Senn)
7. Between Rock and a Hard Place-Unplugged  (Ciro Scotto)
8.Compositions for 3 Voices  (John Cage)

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Write A Music Review Founder

January 15, 2015
Review Provided By Write A Music 
 

Classical/Heavy Metal Review: McCormick Percussion Group-Between Rock and A Hard Place

Release Date: January 13, 2015

Label: Ravello Records

Website

The McCormick Percussion Group is headed up by Robert McCormick, who is the Director of the group and Corey Harvin plays guitar while Ciro Scotto, John Cage and Dan Senn are the composers. It is an interesting collaboration and the music they create on Between Rock and A Hard Place (Plugged & Unplugged) is fascinating.

The idea of classical music meeting heavy metal is nothing new however I felt listening to this purely instrumental take on that expression to be quite attention getting. The focus is more on the percussive side of the equation however, the use of the guitar and other instruments make for some thought provoking soundscapes, it’s like listening to a movie rather than watching it yet different things jump in and out of your mind while it’s playing.

The only track under 5 minutes is “Composition for Three Voices” then at the opposite end of the spectrum is “Unplugged” clocking in at a beefy 16:24. They never bite off more they can chew regardless of the time invested into any one track.

This is very progressive music, not progressive like legendary groundbreaking bands like Yes or ELP but with the same idea and goals of intermingling two genres to come out the other side with a digestible end product for the ears. The lead off track is titled  “ I. Hard Light-Hybrid Night” It is a good warm up for what is to come. It serves as a strong introduction for a suite of compositions that have you listening over and over at first out of curiosity then that turns into awe and pure enjoyment. This will not be for everyone but what progressive music is? It depends on your taste, mood and personal preferences, just like purchasing any other product, the choice is yours. I choose to explore and expand my listening experiences and this was the perfect album to engage my senses and push me forward, to be more progressive with my ears.

“II. On Death Ground” is a bit more moody and intense, kind of like the soundtrack you would hear during a suspenseful segment of a movie. It jumps back and forth and flows like an effortless stream down a mountain. Nothing sounds forced or difficult although it may sound like cacophony at times it does all come together and make sense but it may take a few listens to get to that point of understanding. This is why I feel the first three tracks are the most important. This is the foundation to the fortress of sound being built before the story coalesces then comes to an end.

“III. Onryõ” takes you down a different road and combines some lighter parts with the hard edged guitar sounds in a much different way in that the pace is like a musical stutter step. The percussive back end holds it all together and keeps a steady rhythm so everything else seems to fall into place somehow. Trying to explain what you hear is not always the easiest thing to do but in the end it’s all dependent on the listeners view and personal aural filter if you will.

If you like progressive, fusion, experimental and or metal this is something you need to hear then decide for yourself if it is something you want more of or if the journey should be over after one trip. I took more than one trip and expect to take some more. There is a lot to process here and that is the beauty of it. 

4/5 Stars

Key Tracks: I. Hard Light-Hybrid Night, II. On Death Ground, III. Onryõ

Tracks: 
1. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “I. Hard Light-Hybrid Night”  (Ciro Scotto)
2. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “II. On Death Ground”  (Scotto)
3. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “III. Onryõ  (Scotto)
4. Between Rock and a Hard Place: “IV: Mjölnir (Crusher)”  (Scotto)
5. Five  (John Cage)
6. Rivus  (Dan Senn)
7. Between Rock and a Hard Place-Unplugged  (Ciro Scotto)
8.Compositions for 3 Voices  (John Cage)

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Write A Music Review Founder

January 15, 2015

Review Provided By Write A Music 
 

Featured Track: McCormick Percussion Group-Between Rock and a Hard Place I-Hard Light-Hybrid Night

The McCormick Percussion Group is an intriguing prospect for music enthusiasts looking for something different and challenging. The featured track is "Between Rock and a Hard Place I-Hard Light-Hybrid Night." 

It's where classical meets heavy metal and although it is very percussive in nature I think that metal fans will find interest in hearing this interesting composition. It clocks in at just over nine minutes.

The intent is clear here, to present classical music with a different twist to garner interest from a large cross section of listeners. That mission is accomplished and the track will challenge and inspire aspiring and expereinced musicians alike.

Give it a good listen and judge for yourself!

More About The McCormick Percussion Group:

htmlhttp://mb3creative.com/mccormick/McCormickPercussionGroup/McCormickPercussionGroup/About_Me.html


The McCormick Percussion Group was formed for the purpose of recording new classical music in the percussion ensemble idiom.  The  McCormick Percussion Group has received world wide recognition in Fanfare Magazine, Gramophone, American Record Guide and other leading journals. They have recorded over 2 dozen CDs, many available on Capstone Records and Ravello Records. (Ravello is distributed by Naxos)  Their latest CD on Ravello Records (published 2014) titled: Soli for Soprano with Percussion Orchestra (with Jamie Jordan) received three Global Music Awards! Many of our CD’s are also available on iTunes and major internet sites. Often our CD’s feature well known non-percussion artists  to provide the best available contemporary literature at the highest performance level. The McCormick Percussion Group uses Grover Pro Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals and Encore Mallets. Please contact us for a list of CD’s and upcoming projects.

Percussionist and conductor Robert McCormick is a Professor of Music at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He has won many awards for his teaching and percussion composition.  He served as Principal Percussionist of the Florida Orchestra for 20 seasons, and is a former member of the Harry Partch Ensemble. He is also a member of the McCormick Duo, a well known flute/percussion chamber group.  Bob is available for concerts as conductor, percussionist or clinician. His email: bobpodrum@gmail.com

Featured Track: McCormick Percussion Group-Between Rock and a Hard Place I-Hard Light-Hybrid Night

The McCormick Percussion Group is an intriguing prospect for music enthusiasts looking for something different and challenging. The featured track is "Between Rock and a Hard Place I-Hard Light-Hybrid Night." 

It's where classical meets heavy metal and although it is very percussive in nature I think that metal fans will find interest in hearing this interesting composition. It clocks in at just over nine minutes.

The intent is clear here, to present classical music with a different twist to garner interest from a large cross section of listeners. That mission is accomplished and the track will challenge and inspire aspiring and expereinced musicians alike.

Give it a good listen and judge for yourself!

More About The McCormick Percussion Group:

htmlhttp://mb3creative.com/mccormick/McCormickPercussionGroup/McCormickPercussionGroup/About_Me.html


The McCormick Percussion Group was formed for the purpose of recording new classical music in the percussion ensemble idiom.  The  McCormick Percussion Group has received world wide recognition in Fanfare Magazine, Gramophone, American Record Guide and other leading journals. They have recorded over 2 dozen CDs, many available on Capstone Records and Ravello Records. (Ravello is distributed by Naxos)  Their latest CD on Ravello Records (published 2014) titled: Soli for Soprano with Percussion Orchestra (with Jamie Jordan) received three Global Music Awards! Many of our CD’s are also available on iTunes and major internet sites. Often our CD’s feature well known non-percussion artists  to provide the best available contemporary literature at the highest performance level. The McCormick Percussion Group uses Grover Pro Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals and Encore Mallets. Please contact us for a list of CD’s and upcoming projects.

Percussionist and conductor Robert McCormick is a Professor of Music at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He has won many awards for his teaching and percussion composition.  He served as Principal Percussionist of the Florida Orchestra for 20 seasons, and is a former member of the Harry Partch Ensemble. He is also a member of the McCormick Duo, a well known flute/percussion chamber group.  Bob is available for concerts as conductor, percussionist or clinician. His email: bobpodrum@gmail.com