Stephen Speelman is the guitarist and also vocalist for Unified Past. There are a few reasons why Unified Past stood out to me when checking them out. When a musician has the desire to learn their craft that they go out and earn a Master’s Degree in Classical Guitar, they have my most utmost admiration and respect. Influenced by the likes of Joe Satriani and John Petrucci, Speelman is the very definition of a Prog guitarist. To stand out in this genre it requires a broad respect for your talent, music notation and discipline in its craftsmanship.
A drummer after my own heart. Growing up with drum sticks in my hands since around the age of 10, until post-college graduation, I know a thing or two about drumming. I especially know the type of drummer, Victor Tassone is. A student of his craft always seeking new ways to perfect his chops at the kit. With various projects which include Ocean’s 5, Corvus Stone, Colin Tench Project, and The John Ore Franklin Band, my eyes were more often fixated towards the drumming part of Unified Past. Drumming for Tassone is a religion. How do I know that? Two words; Drum Corp. Anybody who knows Drum Corp know that only those who practice religiously get to take the field as a marching drummer in Corp.
The unsung heroes are in my honest, respectful opinion are the bass players. But in the genre of Prog Rock, their shredding is often times congruent with the guitarist of the band. Enter, Dave Mickelson ! Between Slappin’ the bass (I’m sorry, I had to) for Joey Belladonna’s Chief Big Way and Belladonna he successfully complimented the merger with Unified Past.
This 6 track release is, dare I say, a glimpse of what is to come. These men are veterans and know how to rock with passion. I'm here to break down their latest album entitled "Shifting The Equilibrium" and to try my best to interpret their music.
Unified Past are: Phil Naro: vocals, Stephen Speelman: guitar, vocals, and keys, Dave Mickelson: bass, and Victor Tassone: drums.
1) Erasure Principle: This here is a well-crafted track. There are many elements all put together to make this song stand out. As I was listening to this song, I could hear the bands that influenced them as they created an original sound enough to understand where they came from, and where they are going. The song has its complexities, but with recognizable patterns all over. Stephen's musicianship just rings in the melodic compositions. Listening in on Mickelson are the rumbles of the bass guitar that go hand-in-hand with the guitar, adding dynamics to the overall tone of the piece. Victor at the drums on this one compliments the music just right. The fills are not over-the-top, which is a plus. Just the right amount of back bone and creativity performed around the guitar and bass. The vocals sit right on top of the whole song like a smooth sheet, which is very Bruce Dickinson in style. The overall tone is mystical, yet hopeful, but at the same time "lost hope" if that makes sense. Be sure to check out the video below !
2) Smile (In the Face of Adversity): This track has a very intriguing initiation with a big bang of music exploding into your ears. This is followed by a breakdown and a pronounced vocal section that seems to draw me in. The tough riffs that continue are bound to have you hooked like it did me. Solos allow the song to really take shape and get you ready for something big. The song takes a turn and slows down to give the lyrics the spot light. The whole construction of the music is very interesting. "Smile" has the big/loud sections, and the soft/deep sections just like some of Dream Theaters biggest hits. Everything I said about each instrument in the previous track holds true here. The experience and talent is apparent and it shows throughout this album. The tracks momentum keeps building and by now you're amazed that 90% of the song has already past! It's really one of those where you get so wrapped up in the song that you lose track of time.
3) Etched In Stone: With tracks lasting more than 8 minutes, you really have to use your time wisely. Either the song is meant to last that long, or it's not. It's that simple. This 11 minute piece of music really was meant to last that long. There is all sorts of styles incorporated into this one tune, and they all fit perfectly with one another in the grand scheme of this song. There are acoustic elements, big vocal elements, and hard rock moments to name a few, and they mesh so well with each other. This is quite a track that calls on the veteran Prog Rock listener to indulge in. It is meant to absorb every sound in its entirety. It has its moments of subtleness balanced out with moments of explosiveness that are perfectly meshed into one lengthy tune.
4) Peace Remains In this World: The opening to this tune reminds me of a big 80's metal song opening, but with that modern metal twist. One thing that really stands out to me is the way the titles lyrics are sung. Almost like singing "there is no hope". The lyrics are quite deep about the current situation this world is in. So desperate and hopeless that we can't help but watch in sadness. It really makes you think and makes you want to shake your neighbors hand instead of going to war with him. Peace ! I sense a more lyrical depth to this track and of all of "Shifting the Equilibrium" this, to me, is the most symbolic.
5) Deviation (From A Theme of Harmonic Origin): "Deviation" is a great jam session. Full of body, full of life. Everyone with an instrument gets the opportunity to express themselves all they want, and the end result is pretty amazing. This would be a song to listen to when you are out for a stroll, thinking deeply to yourself. The trust the quartet has for each other is felt in this one. They allow themselves moments to express their talents. Yet another trait in the genre, showcasing every member of the band.
6) Today Is the Day: If you think "Etched In Stone" was quite the epic ride, hold on to your hats! Clocking in at 11:52, you do not know what to expect from this composition! By now, you just go along for the ride because everything else up to now has been fantastic, so you are confident that Unified Past will deliver a grandiose finale. As the song begins and moves along, you are almost mesmerized by all the sounds. No words; you just take it in. Everything you find, blends and travels along so well as your musical journey continues. Highs and lows of all sorts hit you and compliment each other so well. The song builds, it crescendos, and it lifts your spirits! This music is great and it is a powerful train raging towards the end of its tracks. Then BAM! Sudden stop. The journey is over.
This album is quite the wild ride indeed, and you can't help but picture the influences. The bands I hear in this music are Yes, Flying Colors, Styx, and even The Who. Unified Past are like the love child of these great bands. All that, along with the vocals of an individual who has been inspired by the greats such as Neal Morse, Dennis DeYoung, and Bruce Dickinson to name a few make for a rock fusion unlike any other. The band known as Unified Past really have something to share with us all. Great music and a great message is what we need more of in such a troubled world. I can see these guys touring with world, and nothing, I hope, will stop them. Rock on!!! Do not forget to look for them on social media and interact with them !
-Rätsel & The Scientist
*I would like to thank Rätsel for his contribution on this review. My knowledge only goes so far in the vast musical world that is Progressive Rock !
-The Scientist
"Either write something worth reading, or do something worth writing"
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"Hey, Ho, Lets Go"
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