Bob Saliba - Testimony Progressive Voyages Review PV103

The albums Striking cover

Bob Saliba – Testimony – Progressive Voyages Review PV103

This is a bit of an oddball album in my view and I am slightly unclear about the backstory that frames the narrative of the album. Allow me to explain why this is so.

The publicity states “The album tackles paternal injustice and emotional abuse”. Here is where I am not completely clear, is this album formed from personal experiences or from association with folks who have experienced these matters themselves. Either way the result is this rather hard-hitting album of emotionally affected tracks.

Thirteen tracks and a duration of over 52 minutes with a variety of styles and timbres with Bob himself playing most of the guitars and solo’s apart from the track Black Witch where the guitar solo is performed by Philippe Kalfron of Shakin Street (the longstanding French band formed in Paris in the mid 1970’s).

The publicity also states that the album showcases Bob’s melodic Power metal Hard Rock styles along with Celtic, Hispanic and Eastern influences. Sounds an interesting mix doesn’t it? Well let’s strap ourselves in for the ride shall we?

The album commences with Our Home which has a gentle acoustic guitar motif, I can hear a distinct eastern tone to this especially when the fluid electric guitar joins in the sound, a brief but enticing introduction to the next track Dark Lands, which is far more traditional Rock Fare with Bob’s strong vocals and the support of his backing band, Bruno Pradels, Bass and Orchestrations, John Macaluso Drums who provide solid backing for the whole album.

Ride The Quaser follows and again this is powerful Rock Fare, with subtle support from Bruno and John once more. There is a lot of melody to this track alongside some intelligent guitar playing from Bob himself.

I do get the sense of anger and resentment that is espoused in this track and indeed the entire album. Conversations is the next track, this is another strong track sung in three languages as it asks the questions How Can One Cope with Absence? How Can One Deal with The Separation, How Can The Role Of The Father Be Preserved? The three languages employed are French, English and Spanish to ask these same questions in an unusual and emotionally engrossing manner. Praying Mantis is next which is about the deception and lying employed before a court to reinforce the allegations of violence. They are used to further impede the relationship between the father and the child. You can really get the anger and bitterness here in this song.

This is followed by the epic Through The Solar Winds in which there is a realisation of the deception and a restitution of the relationship between the Father and the son. This is an excellent longer track with some blistering guitar lines from Bob.

Alienation is next this is a further unmasking of the woman as a victim when she is actually anything but, however she shields her true colours in court at considerable cost to the father and son relationship.

This is another harder sounding track with lots of great guitar flourishes and lines. It is followed by Albert which is an acoustic guitar interlude. This is followed by Interconnected, which again reprise the hard rock stylings and sounds to fine effect.

Black Witch is next and is the penultimate track of the album this is more Power Metal like in style and sound. The song concerns itself with efforts to reduce the father’s status to that of a Genetic Donor yet still leave him eligible for expenses and financial support whilst trying to limit his access to the child.

Final Lullaby, this is about how the woman hides pregnancy and the subsequent abortion from the father, this track concludes the album.

It is an interesting album with the previously mentioned concerns, I didn’t really detect too many Celtic or Hispanic elements if I am honest.

It is probably best heard several times through before forming your opinion, the music is strong throughout and Bob has a formidable voice and range, no wonder he is now the vocalist for the Sloane Square Band amongst others. It’s probably not for everyone but it is certainly worth a listen at least then make your own mind up about it.

Info here: www bob-saliba.com