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Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius: Behind The Curtain-Live at Progstock
 For any fan, this is going to be a very pleasing release. 2CD’s a DVD and Blu-Ray of Stratospheerius live from their 2019 and 2021 performances at Progstock. The only thing you might not be thrilled with is the unique packaging most likely won’t fit in your CD rack. If the review were to stop here, would be talking a 4 to 5 star review, kudos on giving the fans what they want.
I know nothing about the band other than leader Joe Deninzon is the new violin player in Kansas. In listening to the solo spots, the band sound like fine musicians, and I am sure Deninzon will impress when he is out on the road with Kansas. The band take on King Crimson’s “Frame by Frame”, and bring out Racheal Flowers for a version of Chick Corea’s “Spain”. Former member Alex Skolnick also joins the band onstage for a couple tunes. Unfortunately, as good as the band sound during their instrumental breaks, I find the only memorable songs here are the covers. That is not a good sign, as I much prefer to hear a bands original material and am usually not a fan of covers. But, once the music is off, the only things that stick in my head are their cover versions. It’s hard to put a finger on why, but that’s the nature of music, it is in the ear of the beholder. After a few listens, I came to the same conclusion that the songs just don’t reach me, no hooks, riffs or memorable melodies to latch onto. Their choruses are usually big with a lot of vocals, and this is where I would expect to get drawn in, but honestly, I get nothing.
I wish Deninzon the best with Kansas, and will be seeing them in the spring of 2024, and I am unsure of the status of Straospheerius, but I don’t see myself venturing further into their catalogue, if the energy from a live set didn’t reel me in, I can’t imagine the studio versions would offer something I haven’t heard already.
Track Listing
(Disc One �" 2019)
1. Behind The Curtain
2. Release
3. Imposter
4. Frame By Frame
5. Climbing
6. The Missing Link
7. Gods
8. Game of Chicken
9. The Prism
(Disc Two �" 2021)
1. Take Your Medicine
2. Cognitive Dissonance
3. Storm Surge
4. Spain
5. Hysteria
6. Heavy Shtettle
7. One Foot In The Next World
(DVD / Blu-Ray)
1. Introduction
2. Behind The Curtain
3. Release
4. Imposter
5. Frame By Frame
6. Climbing
7. The Missing Link
8. Gods
9. Game of Chicken
10. The Prism
11. Take Your Medicine
12. Cognitive Dissonance
13. Storm Surge
14. Spain
15. Hysteria
16. Heavy Shtettle
17. One Foot In The Next World
Added: July 26th 2024
Reviewer: Eric Porter
Score: 
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 502
Language: english
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Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius: Behind The Curtain-Live at Progstock
Posted by Jon Neudorf, SoT Staff Writer on 2024-07-26 21:31:56
My Score:
Joe Deninzon gained worldwide attention last year when it was announced he would be the violinist for prog rock royalty Kansas. He has been around for decades and released his first album in 1998, followed by The Adventures Of Stratospheerius in 2002. His project Stratospheerius formed at some point along the way, and over the years different players have come and gone, culminating with his lineup that played the ProgStock Festival in 2019 and 2021. What you get are four discs; 2 CDs, a DVD, and a Blu Ray.
Here is the band lineup:
Joe Deninzon (lead vocals, electric 7-string “viper” violin)
Michelangelo Quirinale (guitar, vocals)
Paul Ranieri (bass, vocals)
Jason Gianni (drums, vocals)
Special guests:
Rachel Flowers (piano, flute)
Alex Skolnick (guitar)
There is no doubt these are excellent players; the band is on fire on both sets. CD 1 contains the 2019 performance and includes some excellent tunes like a fantastic rendition of King Crimson’s “Frame by Frame”. A neo-classical violin intro has Deninzon at his shredding best, with bassist Ranieri showing his considerable chops and awesome tone, the band is on fire with some highly creative prog rock workouts. The melodic prog rocker “Release” which includes nice vocal harmonies, the funk fusion prog of “Game of Chicken” with some fine guitar/violin interaction, and the heavy prog rock of “The Prism” where I hear the occasional nod to Deep Purple, are all excellent. Joe’s pulsating violin riffs are very cool, and the entire band shows amazing chops, easily playing this complex and creative tune.
CD 2 is the 2021 concert and begins with “Take Your Medicine” where the bass shines and the band interplay is excellent. “Storm Surge” features the wonderful Rachel Flowers on flute and piano as it twists around darker themes and varied pacings, from slow to blistering. “Spanish” is a wonderful tribute to Chick Corea and has guest guitarist Alex Skolnick, a former member, exchanging his electric for acoustic, and does not disappoint. Here the band play jazz fusion as well as they play progressive rock. Other highlights include Skolnick’s wild guitar contributions in the seventeen-minute epic “Heavy Shtettle” and a cover of Muse’s “Hysteria” where the band twists the original into a scintillating prog rocker.
The video and sound are crystal clear so kudos to the entire production team.
This is an excellent package of prog rock and fusion from a group of exceptionally talented musicians. I very much enjoyed the ride.
A Melodic Revolution Records’ release.
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