There was a time when all I listened to was Thrash Metal… then there was a time that all I listened to was Rush… then all I listened to was Jazz… then all I listened to was Frank Zappa…. then blues, classic rock….etc….
Well, nowadays I listen to a mix of everything!
And I had wanted to check this album for some time! It’s been out for quite a bit.
So when I was in a mood for some prog…. I thought of trying to find this album…. and low and behold!! Icefish – Human Hardware!!
Now, if you’re a “prog guy”, I think you should listen to this. The music is intense, very melodic and at times hypnotic!
It features one of my very favorite drummers, the one and only Virgil Donati!! Virgil can come up with complex drum patterns like no other!
I remember back in the Montreal Drum Fest days going for an hour “one of one” session with Mr Donati and though he would always blow my mind on the kit (we took in his master class the day before)…. when I went up to his hotel room, I was on the practice pads while he played along on the bed’s mattress!
And no matter the pattern and speed with which I would be playing this pattern… Virgil could play them lightning speed on that mattress! It was an awe inspiring time!
So as I’ve listened to this album the first time through, I’m constantly brought back to flash backs of Virgil’s flawless technique and mastery of odd time meters with mind bending percussive patterns!
Andrea Casali’s vocals are nothing short of perfect along with the very solid bass playing! Can’t imagine it’s an easy task to play bass and sing this stuff!
Marco Sfogli’s guitar work is great! Heavy guitar tones, tight playing incredible leads…. some might recognize Marco as one of the musician’s on Virgil’s last solo album!
Alex Argento’s keys are exeptional! The flavors at times sound a bit like Dream Theater/Sons of Apollo, but that’s simply a bit of a comparison… IceFish stands on it’s own as a band! Alex was also involved with Virgil’s last solo album.
The sounds on this release are simply a pleasure to my ears. And I hope you enjoy it too!
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