Velvet Symphony "Counter Clockwiser"

Country: USA
Sub Genre: instrumental, Art Rock, Space Rock
Release date: November 29, 2012
Tracklist: 
1.Exit 03:10
2.Surface 03:03
3.Horizon 04:32
4.Clock It 04:40
5.Broken Window 04:02
6.Going To Jupiter 02:17
7.Labyrinth 03:44
8.Atmospheric Pressure 04:18
9.Cloud Parade 04:41
10.Metal Circus 06:40

Line-up: 
Ed Melendez - keyboards, piano, synth
Walter Taylor - bass
Alexander Moss - lead guitar
Nicolas James - rhythm guitar
Dean Vincent - acoustic guitar
Nancy Michaels - hand bells
Madeleine Grace - strings

Todd Harrison - drums, percussion

Description/Reviews: 

Beginning with “Exit,” Velvet Symphony instantly establishes a hard and driving sound through Taylor’s bass playing.  Built on top of this is an increasingly complex layering of keyboards.  The production from Melendez is strong enough to where the listener can easily pick up on the different parts being played and hear how they all blend together.  The meat of the song however is in Moss’ lead playing.  On this track in particular he’s a bit reminiscent of Greg Lake from ELP with solos that show a great deal of finesse and an intensity that builds up to the closing.
That intensity shows itself throughout most of the album but it’s when Moss plays with a more controlled intensity that he’s at his best.  One such example of this is on “Horizon,” where, he adopts a style and tone that is more akin to Genesis live guitarist, Daryl Stuermer.  The playing isn’t as frenetic but each note rings out with a more restrained punch.  This allows for other sounds to come through more strongly such as Taylor’s bass work as well as the atmospheric bells that Michaels brings in late to the song.

Read the full review by Heath Andrews

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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