|
Tempest, as a band, is a little hard to describe.
They play folk songs, but they are not a folk band. They
rock out, but they're much more than a rock band. Think
of them this way; take some Jethro Tull and Kansas, throw
in a dash of Led Zeppelin, and have them play Celtic and
Norwegian folk music flavored with metal and bluegrass.
Sounds like kind of a mess but it really works. Call it
World Music if you like, though it's a little strange to
put that handle on a bunch of guys from Oakland, California.
Well, OK, the drummer is Cuban and the frontman is Norwegian.
In any case, they are highly talented and imaginative musicians
who seamlessly blend a morass of musical genres into a fluid
blend of eclectic, exciting music.
Frontman Lief Sorbye leads Tempest with smooth
yet passionate vocals and a sizzling double mandolin. His
voice won't win any awards, but his is a very capable singer
and has perfected his particular style. The production values
on this disc give a natural feel to his vocals, like your
sitting in a pub or the market square listening to him,
as opposed to the often over-produced digitally modified
vocals that are the norm on most recording these days. One
gets the impression not of a rock singer, but of a tavern
minstrel who plays for the love of the music (and perhaps
a pint of ale), as opposed to riches and fame. His natural
vocal style helps accentuate the flavor of the old-world
lyrics and melodies that form the core of their sound.
Guitarist Todd Evans and fiddler Jim Hurley
work around Sorbe's mandolin to create energetic swirling
patterns that run from soft lyrical patois on songs like
"Wicked Spring" and "Journeyman", to
fiery metal intensity on "Dance of the Sand Witches"
and the Appalachian bluegrass infused "Battle Mountain
Breakdown". Shred aficionados will not be disappointed.
Bassist William Maxwell and drummer Adolfo Lazo provide
the solid foundation required to back up the diverse collection
of sounds that Tempest explores.
On Balance, Tempest offers up an outstanding
set of their private blend of Euro-centric folk music and
string-oriented prog-rock. The way they muddy the boundaries
between musical genres is part of the appeal of this band.
Balance is indeed an apt title, as all of their many
influences co-exist in equal measure, where the whole is
far greater than the sum of it's parts.
Shred Pick: "Dance of the Sand Witches"
Official Tempest Band Site: www.tempestmusic.com
Label Website: www.magnacarta.net
Click
here to get Tempest - Balance at
Click
here to get Tempest - Balance at
|
