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MAGELLAN
(UNITED STATES)
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IMPENDING ASCENSION
(1993)
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LABEL:
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GENRE:
PROGRESSIVE ROCK
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TAGS:
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"Confirming Magellan's orientation towards metal-infused progressive rock, "Impending Ascension" is an ambitious record that will require many listens to be fully appreciated."
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4/5
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Released in 1993, "Impending Ascension" is the second album by Canadian band Magellan. Confirming the Gardner brothers' orientation towards metal-tinged progressive rock, the album retraces Magellan's expedition around the world. Each song on the album is devoted to a different stage of the voyage, from preparation in Seville to Magellan's death in the Philippines.
'Estadium Nacional' opens the ball with a very pompous intro, followed by a barrage of choruses and interwoven musical tracks. The vocals are unmistakably reminiscent of Yes in their phrasing and use of choral effects, but this is supercharged, bubbling Yes. The keyboards lead the compositions into rich, constantly evolving harmonies. Each break brings its own surprises, with changes of rhythm, astonishing sounds and incongruous noises.
In tracks such as 'Songsmith' and 'Virtual Reality', Magellan's rock becomes harder, and at times rubs shoulders with the incandescence of metal, contrasting with Kansas-style progressive accents (in 'Songsmith'). This is the register in which the album ends with 'Under The Wire', a short but muscular track.
"Impending Ascension" is a rather complex album, which will require several listens to be fully appreciated. Despite its programmed drums (except on track 2), which sometimes give an overly "mechanical" feel to certain percussive passages, and its constant energy, which doesn't leave the listener much respite, this is an excellent record, recommended to anyone who appreciates the work of bands like Yes, Kansas, Dream Theater and ACT. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Estadium Nacional - 11:12
02. Waterfront Weirdos - 11:05
03. Songsmith - 5:32
04. Virtual Reality - 5:25
05. No Time For Words - 2:08
06. Storms And Mutiny - 11:50
07. Under The Wire - 1:41
LINEUP:
Doane Perry: Batterie / piste 2
Hal Stringfellow Imbrie: Chant / Basse
Hope Harris: Chant / piste 4
Trent Gardner: Chant / Claviers
Wayne Gardner: Chant / Guitares
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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Top of the page
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(1) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
3.5/5 (2 view(s))
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STAFF:
4/5 (5 view(s))
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OTHER REVIEWS
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