Search - K2 :: Book of the Dead

Secret Gem of Excellence

Russ Bellinger | Bradenton, Florida USA | 06/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It still amazes me that absolutely no-one seems to be aware of the existence of this CD. Not even fans of Allan Holdsworth. To me this is one of Allan's best performances since the days of U.K. and Bruford. Don't get me wrong, I also love most of Allan's solo band jazz CDs too, but this is different. The only thing of recent days that come close to this are his performances with Planet X and Derek Sherinian. This CD has been entirely overlooked. It is also the final performance of the late great Shaun Guerin. This is a must own CD. The music is powerful and unlike anything in recent decades."

A little suprised as well

angryfornoreason | Somewhere else...... | 10/29/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am actually kind of surprised as well that this album hasn't received more reviews here. There are several out there on various progressive rock sites, but few here. The album features some great guitar work by Allan Holdsworth and some complex and intriguing musical arrangements. This is a great progressive rock album with a more modern sound to it. I would put it up there with Transatlantic. I do have one complaint in that I think lyrically it is very weak. The singing is fine, but the rather silly lyrics detract from the overall impact of the music. I find I enjoy this album far more during the instrumental sections. I guess I would put this in the minor complaint category because it did not deter me from buying this album and it shouldn't deter you either. You won't be disappointed."

A. HOLDSWORTH: Excellent Brand New Progressive Work!...

Jeff T. Jesmorh | Mexico City. | 02/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With a great CD quality sound, K2 seems to be an alternative direction of any new progressive effort... Maybe you have heard critics about the type of influences that it should probably hear alike to, but what could we expect of five musicians extracted out of a five consumated band styles? not to mention the extraordinary similarity between Shaun Guerin's (RIP) voice and Peter Gabriel... Some review critics have said that K2 is like the continuation of UK or Genesis (!) Hard to believe if we just think that the first U.K. recording was release in 1978. A complete change has happened in the Progressive music's intention and intensity since then.



Just listen the more deep dramatic vocal inflections of Peter Gabriel against Shaun Guerin, or the screamy Eddie Jobson's violin interpretations with U.K., So the real thing is that K2 sounds a lot like Spoke's Beard, Genesis and Allan Holdsworth IOU, with little bits of Jean Luc-Ponty or Eddie Jobson (...as you like!), in a light musical mixture; almost like the band Asia (?). But still having the deepness and complexity of a top Progressive Work from the seventies era... simply a perfect blend of Extraordinary music with the most important ingredient of all: Emotion!



I think the most important matter is that maybe, we are eyewitnessing a full new musical horizon very few times listened before (with the master A. Holdsworth, is ever a never listen before music) with a new array of progressive sounds showing up for the present century! owed to the high category and technical status of every member of the band; furthermore of this, Allan Holdsworth always has been in Progressive or Jazz bands that afterwards with the passing time has became the prime recordings of the decade... presentations are out of place. "Mirror To The Spirits", "The Edge Of Light" and "Cloak Of Antiquity" are some of my favorites, but you just listen it! And only time will tell us what is going to happen... So good Listening, Good Luck!

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