Phase of Twilight is a progressive rock project based in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area.
I’m always interested in compositions that evolve over time, taking us on a journey. Phase Of Twilight is s band that does this very well.
‘Moments Pass By’ opens the EP with angular guitar picking creating a foreboding mood. Military drums and fretless bass join in with Mark Cook showing great facility and accuracy on his instrument. Around the three minute mark a sequenced keyboard kicks in for the second movement as the drums pick up in energy and the bass provides a nice dreamy solo. Around the three forty five mark, power chords and heavy drums dig in to a ferocious cacophony which reaches a climax and devolves back to the intro’s angular guitar bass and military drums. The arrangement gets powerful and dark again at the seven minute mark channeling the 1990’s/2000’s King Crimson incarnation. A fine arrangement with ebbs and flows. Beautifully dark.
The second song, ‘Document’ begins with John Galvan doing some well executed guitar swells over simple bass and drums. Around the one minute mark the song kicks into an angular groove in seven, followed by some very cool rhythmic figures interspersed with tasty drum fills by Bill Bachman. At around three minutes in, the distorted guitar kicks in and lifts the complex figures into the stratosphere. This section is definitely prog metal. Following this, the song breaks backs down to nice guitar picking by John Galvan in a calm before the storm section, but rather than rocking out again, the guitar flicks on the distortion for a tasty guitar solo over the continuing guitar picking figure beneath, while the bass and drums tightly groove in seven. At around the five thirty mark I’d swear Black Sabbath wandered into the studio and picked up their instruments and started sludge rocking. However it’s not long before distorted guitar harmonies remind us this is a prog band. The song ends with progressive guitar touches hovering above the Sabbath-like sludge beneath. A very cool way to end the tune.
The final track on the EP is ‘Forward View’, where new colors are introduced. Strings, synthesizers and gong join what sounds to me to be a middle eastern motif. This is the most orchestral and experimental track on the EP. It could be the soundtrack to a Dario Argento horror movie.
Everyone in this band is extremely talented. They clearly have a defined sound. The potential here has no limits and I very much look forward to what comes next.
Musicians:
John Galvan – Guitar and Taurus Pedals
Mark Cook – War Guitar, Fretless Bass, Keyboards, and Percussion. (Herd Of Instinct, Liquid Sound Company, Spoke of Shadows)
Bill Bachman– Drums (Herd Of Instinct, Neal Morse, Spike Of Shadows)
Genre: Progressive Rock, Metal, Ambient and Post Rock.
https://herdofinstinct.bandcamp.com/album/phase-of-twilight
Released March 2, 2024
Steve Bonino – House Of Prog
