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Terra Incognita Beyond The Horizon
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Roswell Six
Terra Incognita "Beyond The Horizon"
Prog Rock Records
2009
Rock
Brian Rademacher
www.myspace.com/roswellsix
N/A
Rating:
4.0 stars

"Beyond The Horizon" is the music portion of the groundbreaking book and CD project. The music CD whose story and lyrics were written by bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson and co-authored with his wife Rebecca Moesta. It employs the keyboard and all-around musical talents of Erik Norlander (ROCKET SCIENTISTS) to compose the tracks and a variety of very high profile guests to perform as well. The CD provides a unique experience; tying directly into the book and providing original prose from Kevin and a different perspective on the story that can also be enjoyed stand-alone.

Before even starting to review a project like this is a challenge. The musicianship is the ‘best of the best’ and the talents surpass any expectation of a typical release. Starting things off is "Ishalem", it’s just an unbelievable keyboard montage making way for the huge drum sound of Chris Quirarte. This doesn’t even compare to a progressive CD; this is mastery of the finest quality, James LaBrie (DREAM THEATER<) is a vocal God and makes sensational tingles as shivers are sent down your spine. The duel vocals of LaBrie, Lane, Sadler (ex-SAGA and Payne(ASIA) give the technique of vintage QUEEN on a higher plateau. The keyboards by Erik Norlander are sensational and will draw attention from the master Rick Wakemen. This is just a phenomenal opening track that will blow your mind.

"The Call of The Sea" another killer track with the spectacular breaks going from fast-paced music to a soft-spoken word makes you wonder what kind of mind actually wrote a masterpiece like this. You will read the lyrics in the inlay and go on a journey that will take you to different dimensions of a higher power. This would be an amazing background for a planetarium with the sweet sounds of dominating vocals and the powerful instrumental arrangements of a dream come true.

Chris Brown takes center stage with acoustic blazing and angels sing as Michael Sadler smokes on the top-notch ballad "Letters In A Bottle". The violin by KANSAS man David Ragsdale sure does hit the spot with class.

The spotlight shines on Lana Lane on "Halfway" and the vocal range is beyond compare. This slow melodic tune sets apart from the rest of the CD and Lane shows star quality.

James LaBrie is again spotlighted on the great-flavored melodic track "Anchored". All I can say is does everything James touches always turn to gold because this is just another venue for the man to show his talent.

Another uplifting tune in the mold of WHITESNAKE; John Payne caresses each note as Michael Sadler gives a second chorus rise to an ovation. If you took Dio and WHITESNAKE this is what they would sound like adding the sensual sound of Lane at precise moments.

"The Winds of War" showing why Lane is a queen and with pipes of Ann Wilson she can’t be overlooked in any manner with a majority of the male vocalists on Terra Incognita "Beyond The Horizon".

The ballad "Beyond The Horizon" takes Sadler to new heights as Erik Norlander’s smooth piano approach mixes with Mike Orford’s flute bringing this CD to acclaimed status.

The ending track "The Edge of the World" is an instrumental starting off flowing and then gets a little heavier with hard-edged guitar and keyboards in the mold of WHITESNAKE and ASIA meets LED ZEPPELIN. What a CD with phenomenal vocals, unbelievable arrangements and production and top-notch musicianship. It really is beyond belief!


Band Lineup:
  • Erik Norlander - Keyboards (ROCKET SCIENTISTS)
  • James LaBrie - Vocals (DREAM THEATER)
  • Michael Sadler - Vocals (ex-SAGA)
  • John Payne - Vocals (ASIA featuring John Payne)
  • Lana Lane - Vocals
  • Kurt Barabas - Bass (UNDER THE SUN, AMARAN’S PLIGHT)
  • David Ragsdale - Violin (KANSAS)
  • Gary Wehrkamp –Guitar (SHADOW GALLERY, AMARAN’S PLIGHT)
  • Chris Brown - Guitar (GHOST CIRCUS)
  • Chris Quirarte - Drums (PRYMARY)
  • Mike Alvarez – Cello
  • Mike Orford - Flute

 

Track Listing:
  1. Ishalem
  2. The Call of The Sea
  3. I Am The Point
  4. Letters In A Bottle
  5. Halfway
  6. Anchored
  7. Here Be Monsters
  8. The Sinking of The Luminara
  9. The Winds of War
  10. Swept Away
  11. Beyond The Horizon
  12. Merciful Tides
  13. The Edge of The World

 

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