CANVAS SOLARIS - PENUMBRA DIFFUSE

CANVAS SOLARIS - PENUMBRA DIFFUSE

Disk 1 . . . . . . .48:44
1. Panoramic Long-Range Vertigo . . 3:51
2. Horizontal Radiant . . . . . 11:24
3. Accidents In Mutual Silence . . 4:13
4. Vaihayasa . . . . . 4:22
5. To Fracture . . . . . 7:42
6. Psychotropic Resonance . . . 4:53
7. Luminescence . . . . 12:00

Canvas Solaris' official website at:
www.canvassolaris.net

Line-up
Nathan Sapp: lead/rhythm guitars,
acoustic guitars, MicroMoog synthesizers,
guitar synthesizer
Ben Simpkins: rhythm guitar, bass guitar,
mandolin, acoustic guitar,
Hunter Ginn: drums, percussions

format: Single CD
Sensory/Laser's Edge CD SR3030 (2006)

release date: March 1st, 2006

An instrumental prog metal group from the United States, Canvas Solaris is composed of Nathan Sapp on lead guitars and synthetizers, Ben Simpkins on bass, synthetizers and rhythm guitar and Hunter Ginn on drums and percussions. Their music would remind you in places of Gordian Knot and Voivod, but one cannot avoid the obvious heavy influence of Liquid Tension Experiment on that band. Highly cohesive and technically adept musicians, their compositions form a very solid ensemble, an album that flows very well. At times, challenging and elaborate, the music is definitely edgy and aggressive, but still demonstrates a wide variety of styles and very good musicianship from the trio.

The first track, Panoramic Long Range Vertigo, is quite heavy, with influences of LTE, especially in the guitar department, a catchy melody with many layers, ending abruptly. Horizontal Radiant is quite different, stylistically... a great atmospheric, piece which builds up into a tight, powerful rock piece. Accidents in Mutual Silence is a bit more complex with unusual time signatures and edgy guitar work. A dramatic change in style with Vaihayasa, which has a very eastern sound, with tam tams and a guitar that sounds like a sitar, very exotic, with mesmerizing harmonies. To Fracture picks-up in the rhythm department with a vengeance, it starts with rather intense and frenzied guitar, then a smooth, rhythmic middle section, to pick up again in intensity towards the end. Psychotropic Resonance is a quirky, odd little number, slightly dissonant, which builds up into an stinging guitar showcase, blending admirably smooth acoustic guitar with metal mayhem. The CD concludes with Luminescence, the longest and smoothest track of the album, which begins with a quiet, rhythmic intro, an intense, dramatic passage midway and ends with a grandiose finale.

A good power prog CD that sounds great and has great moments, although a bit short at only 49 minutes. It's nothing revolutionary or innovative, but it has a good hard rockin' feel to it. I only wish there might have been just a bit more creativity in their compositions, although the song titles are quite original. Great potential for this band!

My rating for Penumbra Diffuse : 7.9/10

(album reviewed by Robert Dansereau - 16/03/2006)