Time 53 mins
Release Date: March 25, 2022
Label: Bravemusic Distrib
Facebook.com/dayofdeparturedc
Rating 90/100
‘Day of Departure’ is, as such, a new band from ‘Washington DC but with origins in ‘Dale City Virginia. However, the statement ‘New Band’ is in itself confusing. This is because all of the musicians playing with this band are involved with “Bravemusic Distribution” Now from what I can glean from their website “Bravemusic Distribution” is an interesting composite collection of bands seemingly producing, recording and marketing their own music. A stable of bands that seem to have a policy of not only interchanging ideas but, above all, also swapping around musicians within the group. A basic but clever idea with a current line-up of ‘Brave’, ‘Day of Departure’, ‘Hyperwar 1989’, and ‘Stellar Death’. One can imagine the scope and range of exciting possibilities for musicians controlling every aspect of their output as more and more bands join the party.
With respect to ‘Day of Departure,’ it is a project which has been championed by ‘Brave’ guitarist ‘Matt Kozar utilising fellow ‘Brave’ teammate’s:- vocalist/keyboardist Michelle Schrotz drummer Trevor Schrotz, bassist Ben Kelly, and guitarist Scott Loose. Following in the footsteps of fellow guitarist ‘Scott Loose’s’ Stellar Death project it was the turn for Matt to impose his own personality, ideas and musical presence to a separate individual but composite band project.
This is an album full of symphonic delights, a total experience of the audio senses and, without doubt, an album packed to the brim with beautifully layered, well-constructed music. Every aspect of this wonderful album has been pieced together with ultimate skill and attention to detail. A consummate journey through multitudes of varying soundscapes and audio atmospheres. Even on first play, it is remarkable how every instrument within the line-up stands out in such a well-defined manner and the music graced with its own individuality. Every successive play, therefore, reveals more and more lashings of instrumental wonderment. Energetic yet sensitive drumming, exquisite and tuneful bass lines. And then at times, it is difficult to differentiate between the fascinating shared lead guitar and keyboard arrangements, the use of pedals and other treatments providing a resultant blanket of different sounds all merging all together so seamlessly. But of course spasms of well-considered heavy riffing versus more subtle guitar proliferations, a Juxtaposition of well-ordered beautifully coordinated sounds.
And above all else, the preverbal ‘cherry on the top’ in the form of human voice, the wonderfully beautiful female vocals providing a real ethereal feel to the proceedings. A vocal contribution that totally and utterly merges within the very body of the music. A skilled vocalist indeed who can project her voice so clearly with amazing intonation and yet remain within the boundaries of the music itself, and not as such seek to claim the limelight.
Summary: What an ingenious idea it is, to set up a group of musicians, seemingly trading as cooperative. With the unique idea of having the flexibility to morph into different bands under the dictates of alternate musicians who have developed their own separate projects. In this case, it is ‘Brave, guitarist ‘Matt Kozar who has put together a fascinating suite of atmospheric well-considered ambient progressive music.
Matt Kozar – Guitar and Keys
Michelle Schrotz – Vocals and Keys
Trevor Schrotz – Drums
Ben Kelly – Bass
Scott Loose – Guitar and Keys
Track Listing: 1.And We Prepare for Our End (8:00) 2. The Edge of Annihilation (6:13) 3. The Light In Our Eye Grows Dim (3:01) 4. Pierce the Sky (Conflict) (4:32) 5. Ex Machina (5:46) 6. Life Prevails (6:13) 7. The Future Has No Form (3:24) 8. Living Matter (7:34) 9. Awaken To The Beyond (5:50) 10. The Beyond (2:17) Album Length: 52:50 Album Credits: • All songs performed by: Day of Departure • All songs written by: Day of Departure (all songs copyright Bravemusic 2022) • Produced by: Day of Departure •
