One of the reviews I have been looking forward to writing about is Great Airport Mystery. Two friends with very open minds are Ryan Gilpatrick @ryangp and John Kennedy @jpk5119 who reside in New Jersey. They have quite the imagination and drive for their unique style in music.
The concept of Space Metal is not quite heard of, but a great concept nonetheless. One can imagine what music out of this world would sound like. With a heavy metal influence and a twist of electronics, throw in a crazy good story about space exploration in the year 2096, it’s safe to say the album; The Great Spaceport Mystery gives us just that. So grab a seat, put on your headphones and let’s take a journey with Great Airport Mystery and let’s break down their debut album, The Great Spaceport Mystery.
SPACEPORT
The opening track is always the most important for me as it sets up the mood for the entire album. I have to admit, I was a bit stricken by the chord sequence chosen early on in the track. As I was listening to it, my ears wanted the chords to follow a particular chord progression and Gilpatrick and Kennedy deceived me and took me elsewhere. I totally dig this ! This is just the first minute of the entire album too. The track shifts into heavier guitar riffs as the story line begins by inviting you to take a journey into the unknown. Great track with amazing lyrics. It makes you wonder about our future here on Earth !
EXPO
Expo takes us at the beginning of our exploration into the unknown. After remaining at the station for 3 weeks he bids farewell to the girl he has been with this time. In a clever line he sings, “I see treasure in my dreams, between your girls shaking knees.” A heavy track from start to finish, great musicality especially on the bass drum kick! This track also introduces us to Brotron, the Artificial Intelligence created to assist the space adventurer.
ARECIBO
Probably one of the tracks I like most due to the musicality of it. The combination of the softer side in the music and lyrics pleads for desperation as they hope to find life beyond the stars. A weak signal gives a glimpse of hope but none too long. A really good track that as the song approaches the conclusion, the music takes on a heavier guitar riff that leaves me impressed and somewhat amazed at the genius that Gilpatrick and Kennedy have.
BEACON
Hitting you like a distressed call, the guitar represents a sound of hope on this track. Beacon is a great blend of instrumentation and the continuation of the story. One of my favorite lines on this track, “We’re all searching for the means to our existence. And in return all I’d ever ask for is your life. Don’t give up in stride.”
FULL SPEED AHEAD
This seems the “Do-or-die” track of the album. Full Speed Ahead is just that for the sake of the story. In a steady rock feel, the story continues with the space adventurer and Brotron realizing the fate of humanity as they ascend forward. Great electronics and an incredible ending leave wonder to the mind, of a not so sure future for humanity.
PORTAL
The slower side of a rock track, we hear a clever incorporation of music, electronics, dialogue and vocals. Truly a great song for not just a rock fan, but a fan of Science Fiction as well. This album already has me thinking differently about music. Awesome approach! The story continues where they have arrived at the source of the beacon. It happens to be a portal that leads to uncertainty. “Call it faith, call it science or a death wish, but I’m not going back until we finish this shit, man.”
ORBITAL DESCENT
A little more heavy on the vocals and the guitar riffs send off a feeling of emergency or alertness. I personally had to follow the lyrics to understand the storyline more thoroughly. It seems they’re headed for something very hot in temperature and they have no way of avoiding it. Such a fitting line to the end of the track, “It’s the desire to live that burns me alive.” I absolutely love this line !
HORRIBLE DISCOVERY
At over 11 minutes this chapter of the story (yes, at this point I am fixated on the storyline as well as the music) the space adventurer and Brotron find an Earth-like atmosphere with forests and buildings. They come to find humans trapped and kept in cages. The track ends as a force descends upon them. The music chosen to accompany this track is one of a slower, more acoustic approach. The harmonies of the two are a great impact in decoding what is in front of the space adventurer’s eyes. Ok, so the end creeps me out because it sounds like an alien life form speaking in our language only I couldn’t recognize the words. I loved this track !
CAPTIVITY NARRATIVE
Another more melodic vocal tune on an acoustic, we find the captured space adventurer trying to reprogram a decommissioned Brotron. Already they are aware of the need to get out of their surroundings. A feel to that of a rock ballad is felt on this tune. Good stuff.
DENY THE PROPHECY
A great track that has aggressive vocals and a steady head banging guitar riff. Let’s not forget the somewhat “Twilight Zone” feel in the background. The part of the story is simple and to the point, GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE!
TESLA COIL
The urgency of leaving the alien planet is felt in the music. Once again, the combination of storytelling and instrumentation work hand-in-hand here as well. When the two begin to exit their surroundings, they quickly realize their hull has been breached!
CONDUIT CLOSING
The final track of this album/story tells of an exit using escape pods with the will to survive. It is a great track that gives a taste of a future story of the space adventurer and Brotron in a near future. The music is soft and mellow with great use of sequencing. The lyrics give a sense of determination with a hope felt in the voice.
At first when we at The Skeptics Review were asked to review this album, it jumped out at me instantly. When I read the words, “Space Metal” I wanted to listen to it. I have been introduced to one of my favorite bands who are known as Symphonic Rock and they are Within Temptation. So I am no stranger to different branches of rock music. When I first heard the album I had my headphones on and went about my daily routine, I didn’t think much of it. It was good. But I will admit, I wasn’t really listening, yet. So when I decided to settle in for the evening and give the album another listen with my pen and paper by my side, I started to listen differently. With the lyrics in front of me and music playing in my ears, I realized I was listening to a great concept. When I break it down, first and foremost, the storytelling is amazing. Not many albums do that sort of thing. You cannot like one or two songs of the album. You either like the entire thing or not, much like a book. I will admit I really enjoyed the story of it, and as Gilpatrick mentioned to us, there will be a follow up coming soon. I honestly want to know what happens in the story, so keep me posted guys.
Now for the musical part of the album, there is so much influence. When discussing this album with Cerpin Taxt we realized the music was much like Devil Wears Prada, very heavy guitars and pounding drums. Even the aggressive vocals on some of the tracks were very similar. On other tracks, it felt like I was listening to Corey Taylor of Stone Sour (not Slipknot). Just overall great musicality and I am a fan of Great Airport Mystery. I believe they have created something that doesn’t happen often.
I believe the best part of music is done when there is no pressure, no deadlines, just dudes (that includes chicks) and their instruments and ideas. Check out there album at no cost and if you dig it, let it be known ! http://thegreatairportmystery.bandcamp.com
-The Scientist
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-The Ramones