Pulse of a Nation is a brand new album from the outfit known as the Ben Levin Group. The main part of the CD is the 40 minute title track, a monstrous epic that tells the story of the last moments of mankind. Picture if you will Steve Vai jamming with Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and Univers Zero, and you have somewhat of an idea of what to expect on this highly eclectic CD.
Ben Levin is the leader of the band, and he's also the guitar player. There's no doubt he's been influenced by Vai, Mike Keneally, and Frank Zappa, as his style is highly rooted in avant-garde, prog, fusion, and metal flavors. He's joined by Chris Baum (violin), Josh Friedman (piano), Mike Ball (bass), Tyler LeVander (drums), Josh Wood (precussion), and Kira Meade (cello), and other than some brief vocals, the album is mostly instrumental. The epic title track takes you through many musical twists and turns, ranging from acrobatic fusion, atmospheric prog, chilling avant-garde, metallic hard rock, industrial metal, and majestic classical. It's one of those long pieces that you'll just have sit down, close your eyes, and allow yourself to be captured by the music as it takes you on a long and perilous journey. After the 40 minute title track, you get some of the other sections of the epic broken down into separate pieces. Through it all, the stellar musicianship of the whole band, and especially Levin, is astounding.
With Pulse of a Nation, the Ben Levin Group have put together a CD that demands your attention. Prog, fusion, and avant-garde fans of all ages would be well advised to check this one out.
Track Listing
1. Pulse of a Nation
2. Overture
3. One Breaks Through
4. Pulse
5. Ill From the Poisons of Your Loving
6. Sleep
7. Catacomb
8. Braintree
9. We Deteriorate We Thrive
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
