Release Date: 11th
Sept 2015
Label: Melodic
Revolution Records
Formed
back in 1999, Unified Past has its roots much further back in the 1980’s, when
Stephen Speelman and Victor Tassone first started to work together, both in
various band projects, then as the band, Labyrinth, which released 3 full
length albums in the 90’s.
There have been 6 studio albums released by the band
prior to Shifting The Equilibrium,
out just a couple of months ago. The band on this latest recording comprised
Stephen (guitar, keyboards), Victor (drums), Dave Mitchelson (bass) and Phil
Naro (vocals) and between them they have an excellent pedigree with vocalist
Phil having also been a member of Druckfarben and Corvus Stone. The latter band
has also been graced by drums provided by Victor, as has Andy John Bradford’s
Oceans 5.
Shifting
The Equilibrium contains 6 tracks with a playing time slightly
in excess of 56 minutes (56.21). Longest and shortest tracks on offer are
“Today Is The Day” and “Peace Remains In The World” with playing times of 11:51
and 7:45 minutes respectively.
Opening the proceedings on Shifting The Equilibrium is “Erasure Principle” which starts by
grabbing the attention within seconds with the strong guitar riffs, sympathetic
keyboards and then the powerful voice of Phil Naro. This opener seems to veer
from classic rock to prog rock and onto prog metal then back. “Erasure
Principle” is an excellent opening track to the new album.
“Smile (In The Face Of Adversity)” (9:23) is a slower,
moodier, darker kettle of fish with crunching guitar and synths supplying an
orchestral string effect at times. Stephen also applies some excellent guitar
passages throughout the track. The best description of the music thus far would
be tight, not too adventurous, competent prog.
The second longest track, by a handful of seconds,
“Etched In Stone” (11:06) changes style again and moves into the symphonic prog
arena, with superb keyboard passages, backed up by more amazing guitar riffs
and topped by the powerful vocals.
The remainder of the tracks, “Peace Remains In This
World” (7:45), Deviation From A Theme ( of Harmonic Origin) (8:18) and “Today
Is The Day” (11:51) take the sweeping keyboards, chunky guitars and the strong
vocals onwards, providing an album of great modern progressive music. The
addition of the powerful lungs of Phil Naro since the last release which was
largely instrumental, Spots (2013 but
re-issued, and reviewed, earlier this year), has certainly helped the band move
a rung or two up the prog ladder.
Shifting
The Equilibrium is by far the best album that Unified Past
has issued, and is well worth parting with some of your hard earned cash to add
it to your collection. This release should grab the interest of people who like
their progressive music with a little bit more of a bite to it.
5/5
Stars
Key
Tracks: Erasure Principle, Etched In Stone, Today Is The Day
Tracks:
1. Erasure Principle
2. Smile (In The Face Of Adversity)
3. Etched In Stone
4. Peace Remains In This World
5. Deviation From A Theme (Of Harmonic Origin)
6. Today Is The Day
Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-Sr. Reviewer Prog
Rock Music Talk
December 6, 2015
Review
Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk
