(Neo-Prog / Progressive Rock) Kinetic Element (Mike Visaggio) - Powered by Light - 2009, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

US outfit KINETIC ELEMENT is the creative vehicle of composer and keyboardist Mike Visaggio, and was formed in 2006. At that point in time he had just finished creating his first solo album, and was looking for additional musicians to be able to perform his works in a live setting. Todd Russell (guitars), Matt Harris (bass) and Michael Murray (drums) decided to join him, and this collaboration worked so well that they shortly after decided to evolve it to a band project - quickly given the name Kinetic Element. Since then they have been performing a number of live shows, and slowly but surely gotten along to record songs as well. Harris left the band in 2008, replaced by Tony D'Amato, but in October 2009 D'Amato was forced to leave the band as well, due to personal reasons.So far Kinetic Element have issued a demo EP named The Powered By Light Suite in 2008, and in 2009 their full length debut album Powered By Light followed.

Oh !!! How is good find in present times a band to make a sound such as KINETIC ELEMENT !!! A band which get again the real spirit of rock in the progressive music !!! I realy think to be important the tireleess study of musical theory ; the scales and their moods, the harmonics intervals, the change of the rhythmic beats....But I also think wich music is more than just this things. The music is above all - inspiration !!! In "Powered by Light" you can find all of that elements. The music is in the same time complex and simple. Complex due to the blend of various musical styles and simple because of the manner used to develop the melodies and musical landscapes (which depend almost totally from inspiration). The influences are diverses - SYMPHONIC PROG (Genesis, Yes , EL&P etc..), SPACE PROG ( Eloy, Pink Floyd , etc...), HARD PROG ( Deep Purple) etc... Highlights to tracks 3 ( with a jazz prog overture and main theme ) track 4 (with a very beautifull initial ballad wich lead the music to a very nervous midle section and returns to the ballad for the conclusion) track 6 ( with a wave movement wich change to a Hard/Symphonic Prog with great intercalated solos and fantastic vocals). Obviously my rate is 5 stars !!!

Another great discovery I found here on PA. It?s hard to believe this band is actually from the USA since their sound is deeply rooted in the european tradition of 70?s classic symphonic prog, specially from the UK. And even harder to believe this is only their debut! The level of maturity of this group in terms of performance, songwriting and production is astonishing. Even if most of the stuff was product of vocalist/keyboardist Mike Visaggio?s hands and mind (I heard Powered By Light was sopposed to be released as a solo album), credit must be given to the extraordinaire band members as well. This is, after all, a team work.
Like most symphonic prog albums, Powered By Light charmed me from the start, but not much. It was only after several spins that I was finally hooked and begun to notice all the songs subtle and wonderful details. Those guys really did their homework, for it?s easy to see they have the right influences (ELP, Yes, Genesis, among others, plus some jazz stuff here and there to spice it up) and still they come up with something totally of their own. Every song is a winner and the arrangements are very tasteful. Every musician plays its part at the right moment, resulting a very harmonic sound. They all are skillful but they play for the music, not for showing off. It?s ok that Powered By Light is not perfect. Meditation is a five minute acoustic guitar instrumental that clearly does not fit in here, but it doesn?t spoil the overall impact of the album. Highlights are of course the general use of delightful analogic sounding Keyboards that reproduce such vintage instruments like the Hammond organ and the mellotron. As a singer Mike Visaggio may not be not as gifted as on the keys, but what he lacks in range he more than compensates with feeling and conviction. Besides, he does not try to reach notes he is not capable of making his vocal lines very pleasant and emotional. The guitar parts are also very good and creative. The rhythm section is strong and versatile. To top it all, every tracks is simply excellent (all right! meditation is an exception, but it is not bad either). Production is right on the mark, very well done.Conclusion: an excellent start for this band. I was tempted to give it a five star rating, but I believe that since Powered Bu Light is their first, they will probably try to better this one and I rather wait till I have more of their work to give a fair view of their potential. Anyway, this is a remarkable achievement and I?m giving it 4,5 stars. I recommended it to anyone who enjoys high caliber symphonic prog rock with lost of fine melodies.

- Mike Visaggio / vocals, piano, organ, synthesizers, mellotron
- Todd Russell / guitars
- Tony D'Amato / bass
- Michael Murray / drums