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Album Reviews : Kettlespider – Kettlespider

By on November 7, 2017

Progressive and experimental music, in Australia and across the globe, is experiencing what could be deemed an ‘ongoing renaissance’, that is, for several years we the aficionados of this style of music have been treated to a relentless schedule of superlative releases from these type of artists. It’s been a feast, a veritable smorgasbord of quality music, and it shows no signs of stopping.

And Melbourne five-piece Kettlespider have just added their own piece to the Renaissance.

The self-titled album draws influence from a ridiculously diverse range of sources, from the old-school prog rock of 70s Yes and Rush, to the modern prog-metal of Dream Theater and Opeth, to jazz and fusion, to straight up rock n roll and plenty more besides, and they channel it all into a unique and quirky style that is all their own.

And it’s not just a journey across broad influences, the shifts in tone and dynamics this record takes you through are something to behold as well, from triumphant, fist-pounding rock to wistful jazzy interludes to the head-spinning twists and turns of fusion, often within the confines of a single track. This is a band with boundless imaginations, a unique vision for themselves and the songwriting and instrumental chops to pull it all off with aplomb.

Oh, and with no pesky vocals to get in the way of all the fun these guys are obviously having on their instruments.

The album is eight tracks and 37 minutes of quality, but if there is a key track on Kettlespider, it would be Rebirth, which calls upon virtually all of the aforementioned influences and dynamics across the course of its seven-minute length and takes the listener on a highly emotional odyssey into progressive sound.

This album is as catchy as it is powerful and interesting too, and it all adds up to one hell of an enjoyable progressive listening experience. Check it out NOW.

Band: Kettlespider
Album: Kettlespider
Year: 2017
Genre: Progressive Rock
Label:  Independent
Origin: Australia

About

Rod Whitfield is a Melbourne-based writer and retired musician who has been writing about music since 1995. He has worked for Team Rock, Beat Magazine, themusic.com.au, Heavy Mag, Mixdown, The Metal Forge, Metal Obsession and many others. He has written and published his memoirs of his life and times in the music biz, and also writes books, screenplays, short stories, blogs and more.