This is apparently the 8th albumn from US proggers Resistor. Coming a couple of years after their Illuminator album (2023)
It is however my first experience of this North East Rhode Island based outfit, the album consists of just three tracks, opener Nostalgia is just shy of 13 minutes in length, Antarctica is a 7 minute instrumental tracthe following membersk and the albums crowning glory/Erpic length track is Beyond which is 24 minutes and 25 seconds duration.
The band is composed of the following members, Steve Unruh, Lead Vocals, guitar, violin and flute, Fran Turner Guitar and backing vocals, Barry Farrands - Drums and backing vocals,, And finally Rob Winslow Bass.
Let's take the album Track by track shall we?
Opener Nostalgia immediately puts me in mind of Rush, especially in both vocals and strong guitar work, there is definitely a resemblance in the sound of the band
Yet even in that the idenity of the band shines through especially when Steve Unruh's violin enters the fray, and he begins to weave his webs of wonderful sounds that start at the 3:35 these are then interrupted by the return of the guitar at the 5:35 point, with its stiking chordal riff, that is retained throughout the entire song.The I have to express admiration for how great this all sounds together, It is a different sound but a very solid one for all that, the guitar riffing is splendid here really impressive as is the excellent bass work at the 10 minute mark which is excellent and adds much to the track., ǰts brevity helps here and really makes you sit up and take notice. This is in summary a very spectacular track with excellent musicianship on display.
Antaares is next this is an instrumental again the guitar work is very reminiscent of Rush's Alex Lifeson, the guitarist employs a similar style of playing legato and arpeggios playing and enjoys crunch in his sound, I didn't let these similarities affect my judgement or appreciation of the music on the great album i like the flow of this track it moves along in distinct sections but is never dull of loses your interest, the guitars are very god here and fluid, with great tones and textures, there is some seriously impressive playing on offer here, I would urge anyone to give this album a fair try, As it is most impressive musically, I also like the athletic bass stylings used here to great effect.
The final track of the album is also its longest, Beyond at 24:25 duration, This is a real epic that not only cojours up Rush again but also GentlecGiant in its mid and later -section, let's explore this one too shall we?
Firstly I haven't got a clue what this track is actually about, Even so there is much to enjoy especially in the interactions between the instruments, the guitar and the violin, the different vocal styles in which you can detect touches of both Rush and Pavlovs Dog and Gentle Giant, the Gradual violin build up to its solo, the powerful drumming as upfront bass, Above all the melody that is employed during this fine track, this shows Imagination as well as creativity,
I like the violin in this track and the marching drums and everything else that's in there it all sounds glorious, the guitar crunch returns after the violin solo, as the song moves into a keyboard oriented section and as bass section accompanies it all, then an acoustic guitar and violin part emerges from the sound, with some great lyrics all this is accompanied by a great bass line and presence, thereafter is a guitarmsolo section This is rather epic in its style and grabs the attention, well it did mine at least, The vocals remind me of someone, I'm not sure who exactly but definitely not Geddy Lee for once, The acoustic guitar refurns and is joined by a lively flute part, I must say repeated listens have reaffirmed just what great album this is, A great bass part follows very funky and athletic in tone, I really do like this track immensely it is terrific really terrific, there's a lot happening and its shifting time signatures certainly appeal here, this is intelligent music, intelligently performed and delivered.
The synth part towards the conclusion is excellent and we'll delivered as is the speeding up part that's appears towards the end, The bass comes from Don Schiff on his NS Stick which accounts for the versatility employed in this track the final section has a very Gentle Giant like vocal dexterity to it,this gets more impressive the more you hear it,
The closing part is suitably epic too with lots of strident guitar riffing and muscular bass runs and the strong drumming. The sinewy guitar line returns again as the finale is fast approaching, time for a final solo first though before the crescendo of Bass drums and guitars leads to the run out to the end.
Utterly brilliant, Totally overblown, Rdiculous magnificence I thoroughly enjoyed it all.
I imagine a lot of folks will really love this one
Info here: www.essentials.progrock.com
Author John Wenlock-Smith Sunday 8th November 2026.