Chiodos - Bone Palace Ballet, Grand Coda Album Review

Defying classification, Chiodos is Craigery Owens (vocals), Bradley Bell (keyboards and vocals), Matthew Goddard (bass), Derrick Frost (drums) and two support guitarists in Jason Hale and Patrick McManaman. I tell you this, because, if you have not heard of this band before, with the growing fascination, even comprehension of ‘prog-rock’ currently pervading the music scene (in truth, it never went away), this ensemble could soon take pole position.

Yet, Owens’ intense vocalisations cross several genre, from the traditional heavy rock sound of David Coverdale’s ‘Whitesnake’, to the soaring falsettoes of Jon Anderson (‘Yes’), taking in the grungey punk rock guttural growlings of Leathermouth en route. There are moments in this album that you wonder what influences are to be played out next. It is not that it is confusing, rather that it is just lacking a little in overall direction.

However, if that sounds negative, remove the implication, because I have seldom been so excited by a new album in ages. Yes, there are elements of thrash and you can hear hints of Rush, Muse and even the aforementioned monsters of prog sited within almost any track, with their unusual time signatures and impossibly diverse lyrical directions. And that is what makes this album such a compelling sound. There are even classical aspects and orchestral support on more than one track. Phew!

As a melange of intensity and thrilling progression, there are few albums displaying such capabilities of reach, because the musicians involved have dug deeply into so many established arenas that you wonder what might be left for anybody else. Yet, it was more than clear to me that a far-sighted intelligence was at work, because there is an undeniable humour, perhaps even self-deprecation being played out too. Yes, this album is hard to qualify, but its volume is quantifiable and its heart lies in progressive rock pomp and all of its magnificence and grandeur. I love it! I want more. Oh, yeah, and there is a separate DVD ’shooting of’ video disk included.

Iain Robertson