Lion Music www.lionmusic.com
Ian Parry’s brainchild, Consortium Project, was born in 1999 following his previous solo album “Thru the looking glass” in 1995. The project lived for no fewer than 13 years, with the release of five epic tales, reaching its crescendo with “Species” in 2011. Lion Music has done a sterling job in re-releasing the first four after the success of “Species”, each package remastered with a bonus track or two in the mix. Parry utilises the services of a fair number of well-known musicians, too numerous to mention here.
“I: Criminals and Kings” (***1/2) was released in 1999 and was ground breaking in its dramatic/theatrical flavour. The guitars are prominent and raw, while the keys blend it well. Parry is in fine fettle vocally, but the last two tracks on the album meander a bit, which detracts from the excellent remainder.
“II: Continuum in extremis” (****1/2) was released in 2001 and the concept continues with the storytelling based upon modern day occurrences. The music style is similar to its predecessor, albeit more of a mid-tempo feel.
“III: Terra Incognito (The undiscovered world)” (***1/2) was released in 2003 and, while one can hear it follows on from the previous two releases, the keyboards are far more prominent (although there are some great guitar solos), it is more progressive, less melodic and less enjoyable – although “White sands (California Lighthouse” is a standout.
“IV: Children of tomorrow”(****1/2), released in , sees the Consortium Project produce more guitar driven, heavy metal at a slower pace and better melody than its predecessor, with Parry sounding slightly more strident than previously. The addition of electronic sounds here and there provides an interesting twist to the heavy riffing. The music is such that it stands out as the pick of the crop – until, of course “V: Species” came along…
Each re-release sounds superb and contains two bonus tracks, making the quadrology (released and available separately) pretty much an essential purchase for power metal and melodic metal fans.
Nick van der Meulen
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Next session: Sunday 1 December
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.
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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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