No Brass - The Crowning Of The Sun

Year of Release: 1999
Label: self-released
Catalog Number: HD4438
Format: CD
Total Time: 54:12:00

A few seconds into the title track and the name Rush springs to mind. However, although No Brass are fellow Canadians, the resemblance stops right there, as no keyboards will be added throughout the album, whilst the drumming is also more predictable than that of Mr. Peart! In fact as the album progresses it becomes more and more obvious that this is not your everyday average prog album but an album where the word ROCK shines in second hand neon, referring to the thick vintage guitar sound of the seventies. Although I don?t really like the word, I guess what No Brass delivers here could be best categorized under the banner of "stoner rock".

Because of the guitar, drums, bass line-up sometimes their power gets in the footsteps of Taste however the guitar does not sound like Rory Gallagher at all! All the right licks are there, all the right moves are there. Sometimes two guitars combine their respective talents flirting slightly with Wishbone Ash moods. The second part of "Around The Corner" really illustrates the technical ability of Dirk Garman. The build up for "A World Within" really works well, as there is room for all kinds of variations. Thick fat guitar chords fill "Roll On," one of the true showstoppers on this album. It's exactly with these songs that No Brass illustrate their live power as I'm convinced a show with these guys certainly is one hell of an experience. Petrucci, Schenker, Vai, Satriani, Morse, they all visit the No Brass tea party one way or another! Let us not forget the wonderful bass playing in ?True Passion? played with, you?ve guessed it, true passion indeed!

If you?re mainly in for lots of guitars and a more direct approach referring to the glorious seventies "no frills attached" then you?ll certainly enjoy this steaming package. If you only feel at ease with a decent portion of keyboards then leave this album where it belongs: in the hand of a true rocker, leather 'n all!

Tracklisting:
The Crowning Of The Sun (4:24) / The Castle Dweller (5:31) / Around The Corner (6:08)/ A World Within (6:07) / A Star To A Star (7:20) / The Love Song (4:13) / Roll On (5:34) / The Death Of A Drone (6:48) / True Passion (7:48)

Musicians:
Steve Ronyak - rhythm guitars tracks 1, 3, 6, 7 & 8
Dave Zuppert - rhythm guitars tracks 2, 4, 5 & 9 solos on tracks 2, 4, 6, 7 & 9
Dirk Garman - solos on tracks 1, 3, 5 & 8
Erol Somer - bass tracks 1, 3, 4 & 9
Dave Kovacs - bass tracks 2, 5, 6, 7 & 8
Mike Kovacs - drums & vocals

Discography:
The Crowning Of The Sun (1999)

Genre: Rock

Origin CA

Added: December 1st 2000
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: www.nobrassmusic.com
Hits: 2678
Language: english