Beekstraat 1 - B-2640 Mortsel - Belgium

CRYPTIC VISION: Live at ROSfest

Release

Style

There’s has to be definitely a typically American sympho sound. You can clearly hear their background in Spock’s Beard, Enchant or Kalaban. Florida based Cryptic Vision seems to handle the characteristic transatlantic sound (the so-called Pomp/Prog) very well too. Perhaps it has something to do with the AOR leanings and the very soulful vocals. Even the obvious progressive influences show their most North American side: Kansas, Spock’s Beard, Dream Theater, Rush, Saga. But also Pink Floyd and especially YES shed their inspirational light here. It’s that mix of classic UK Prog and US Pomp/Prog that makes this a recommended listen. Take for instance the impressive trilogy “Introspective / Contemplation / Grand Design” with its four part harmony vocals and its tension building. The inverted rhythm patterns on the other hand are very Rushian.

Cryptic Vision ‘live’ guarantees captivating performances of epic grandeur that doesn’t defy rhetoric. They deliver really fine melodic prog with some great hooks. Keyboards and guitars pull up a huge wall of sound. Really delightful symphonic bombast! Like in YES you hear the explicitly roaring Rickenbacker bass (with Taurus bass pedals) and the dynamic stadium drumming we also know from Alan White. Since Cryptic Vision has done some sumptuous research in the prog archives, the presence of a medley is hardly a surprise. This excellent homage to prog’s greatest is one of the album’s highlights. However, don’t think that – since many names have been mentioned – this band wouldn’t have a sound of their own. What these guys come up with, is music that is both accomplished and crafted with passion and conviction. Mark these words: this band is going to become a prog hit. The live recording is spatial and well-crafted. The studio demo and live version of the new, grand scaled “In A World” already give us an idea of what the title track from their next studio release, due for June, will sound like. Highly promising!
 

Musicians

1 Introspective
2 Contemplation
3 Grand Design
4 In A World
5 Ascension
6 Keyboard solo
7 Shock Value
8 Progledy (Medley):
a. The Water – Spock’s Beard
b. Yours Is No Disgrace – YES
c. Song For America – Kansas
d. Erotomania – Dream Theater
e. Turn It On Again – Genesis
f. Karn Evil 9 - ELP
9 In A World (Studio demo bonus track)

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Last updated: 21 maart 2006 .
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