Well, Canada keeps dishing out occasional prog albums, not just from the notorious hotbed province of Québec, where Mystery, Huis, Jacob Roberge, ESM and Red Sand continue the tradition but also there is lots of input from the rest of the country. Bands like Versa, Monarch Trail, Brass Camel, Crown Lands and the prolific Rick Miller keep English Canada on the ball (or puck).
Benjamin’s Kite starting out as the Kite in 2016 with a nice debut that showed promise. The band altered their moniker, and immediate progress was to be discovered on albums such as Antediluvian Euphonies (2018), and 2020’s Ingenious Cacophonies, both garnering favourable reviews and high ratings. That should not come as any surprise because the brother core of drummer Zoltàn and keyboardist Bryan Vamos, together with longtime guitarist/vocalist Robbie Brennan and bassist Marc Mongrain have really consolidated their craft, enhancing their progressive tendencies to the point where their sound is now distinctly identifiable, with pristine production and adherence to structure and flowing content. Also known as the big picture!
I was immediately captivated by unexpected sonorities emanating from my earphones, catching me off guard, as I had to adjust a few receptors in my head, somewhat bewildered. Blasting into heavenly tolerances from the moment the ref blew his whistle, the epic 17 minute and 20 second colossus “(In the Shadow of Kynigos Part 1) Through the Void” has all the prerequisites to parade onto the podium in the category opening track epic for 2026. Exquisite ambient restraint can hold back only for so long before passing the baton into a majestic organ-led furrow, the carving bass displaying reptilian tendencies, and the karate-chop drums pummelling without pity. Bryan’s delicate ornamentation on piano pools emotion like only it can, setting up the insertion of Brennan’s vocals, the whole combining to emit an early Saga/Styx progressive vibe, highlighted by a catchy yet meaningful chorus, parping keyboard explosions with a suave synthesizer flutter that hits the spot! The dizzying electric guitar solo elevates the power and the passion, expert dosage and energetic sound. Mongrain’s athletic bass suddenly gets the spotlight with a hyperactive line that would make even Jaco proud. Sturdy mellotrons shudder in delight, tingling bells announce deliberate flexibility, as the arrangement chases another curve into parallel universes. Throughout its entirety, the fine balance between structure and inspiration keeps the listener enthralled, a truly remarkable opening statement that begs to be heard over and over again.
Three shorter tracks form the next section, the first being “Amone (Solid Ground)”, a rambling and rousing upbeat modern prog piece with dreamy vocals that is both easy on ears but also challenged by some driving instrumental slivers that never disappoint. The corkscrew axe exercise is brief and ballsy, the stop and start propulsion shows a drummer most content to be solidly grounded (pun intended!) and just enough to charm the most jaded listener. “The Missing Piece” once again features impeccable piano work, in tandem with a flute patch, another heartfelt track with a terrific Bryan synth sweep, lumberjack pounding from Zoltàn and massive power chords. “World on Fire” tends to teeter towards the more theatrical side of prog, before jumping into the car, switching gear and heading out on the highway, a galloping drive into the sunset, the delirious Hammond burning rubber, and the shock absorbing guitar in full cruise control. Bad Company meets Procol Harum, lol. A fine trio of corkers !
Back to epic prog rock dining satisfaction with an extended “A Fork in the Road”, a sensorial buffet of raunchy meats, crunchy potatoes, punchy fruits and munchy veggies that will satiate the most ardent appetites, adding enough hot sauce and spice to liven up any mood. All of band’s characteristics seem to glow in the candlelight, the tremendous vocals worthy of the finest microphone chefs of the past (though Larry Gowan certainly does come to mind here). The main highlight remains the immaculate flow as the instrumental and vocal intertwine with audacity and charm. Has anyone seen my knife ?
A reworking of a piece from the debut, “Pages Turn” is a moody finale that closes the album on a note of contentment. Bryan has definitely mastered the piano, surely the defining songwriting tool in the arsenal, as it sets the foundational direction, the vocals of Robbie (who sounds a lot like Don Henley of the Eagles at times, especially here) and Marc’s background harmonies are a definite highlight. The track is the most straightforward of the entire album, its sweetness and simplicity not requiring any technical merit or artistic impression, just a feelgood sense of finality of a work well done.
Go and fly Benjamin’s Kite, and see where the wind will blow your mind.
4.5 Airforce cadets