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| ANUBIS SPIRE was formed new years day 1998 after a chance jam session the night before. Made up of musical veterans who wanted to write and play music in the mid-seventies style of such bands as Led Zeppelin, Mahavishnu Orchestra, etc., the band set about melding it's various influences and adding a heavy dose of world and ethnic sounds and a modern twist to the mix. The debut CD-OLD LIONS(in the world of snarling sheep) was recorded in a barn, on an antiquated 8 track almost entirely LIVE! They are currently recording their new CD-CHILDREN OF A FOREIGN FAITH for release this fall. |
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REVIEW---ANUBIS SPIRE-OLD LIONS(in the world of snarling sheep)
"Remember the final scene in the movie LORD OF THE FLIES? The one where the little kids had degenerated to a mindless tribal mob and were hunting down the last non-tribal kid? Remember where they chased the poor kid to the beach and came face to face with ADULTS? The scared look on the kids faces told it all. In their little made-up tribal society they were kings. But standing before the soldiers on that beach, they were exposed for what they really were-scared, confused kids following along like the lemmings they'd become. With that little scenario fresh in your mind, let me just say that the title of this CD might be the most appropriate title I've seen in ages. ANUBIS SPIRE is a band of veterans, OLD LIONS for sure. One listen and there can be no doubt. From the opening drum beat you can tell these guys take a back seat to no one. Most of the music is instrumental and shows a laudable tendency to avoid the ordinary. Where other guitarists would go for a safe modern distortion tone, their guitarist goes for one that sounds like something squeezed out of some ancient desert wind instrument. The drums change from monstro Zepp-style in-your-face to almost sounding like the drummer was recorded from a block away. Where you expect cymbal crashes there is only unsettling silence...Where other bands would go out of their way to impress us with their slick arrangements, ANUBIS SPIRE just keeps flying along in a musical equivalent of stream of consciousness poetry....
OLD LIONS(in the world of snarling sheep) is my favorite cut on a disk of nothing but great cuts. It flows along like a gathering sandstorm on the horizon, building and rising higher and higher in the sky, folding back upon itself until you're so entranced that you don't even notice that you've been swept up and carried along with it for miles.... SO BE IT, IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME, HASN'T IT..., and especially the clean toned GONE WEST are guitar workouts par excellence. Remarkable all the more for all the cliches they avoid.
ANUBIS SPIRE have managed to craft a brilliant piece of music while rebelling against --and most of the time-- ignoring completely, the tendency of a lot of independents to over produce, over refine and over rely on slick packaging and studio sheen to cover a lack of anything original in their music... I don't really think this band fits the progressive rock genre and to be quite frank, I can't really think of where they would fit. I would definitely not recommend them to anyone enamored by today's MTV fodder. ANUBIS SPIRE are true dinosaurs, but if you'll forgive another movie analogy, I'll qualify that statement by saying that just as modern scientists now know that dinosaurs were not the slow, plodding beasts they were once believed to be, the current view that scorns any band who plays more than three minute pop tunes might in the future, actually make the term dinosaur a badge of honor. So, remember that scene in the original JURASSIC PARK where the T-rex rips the roof off the restroom? Remember what happens next? ANUBIS SPIRE is that dinosaur and the guy on the throne is just about every other band you've read about this year. Get the picture? Get this CD!"
---John Bettman--MIASMA magazine
"Good prog rock. I keep trying to think what the guitars in ‘It Has Been a Long Time, Hasn't It..' reminds me of. Peter Banks' stuff from Self-Contained? That's a question, because I'm not sure. All I know is – I like what I'm hearing.
‘Underneath the Roswell Sun' is a Very difficult song to extract from your head once it's there. The vocals are of the type that could only exist in prog. They aren't perfect (imagine someone trying to tell you a joke – someone on the verge of laughing, yet nary a chuckle escapes), but THANK GOD they aren't the Broadway kind. (You know, voices that sound so alike you wonder why bother hiring more than 1 person of ea. sex.) Still, as I say, they are damn memorable tunes, and if you like listening to Steve Howe sing, you'll marvel at these.
Then there are epics like ‘Talisman of the Dreamer' which creates a musical mood beneath the words which swirls and chases its tail; like trying to chronicle the sea by labeling waves. You know it's hopeless, you know you'll never get it done, but something keeps pushing you on. A beautiful image.
These guys know how to play and fashion worlds in their 15 tracks. It's a cd of 66 minutes, giving you enough time to really get into the story. Anubis Spire are in every store in the online world. Order one."
-----BEN OHMART @NZone Magazine -
Anubis Spire: "OLD LIONS (in a world full of snarling sheep)"
"Right from the outset this CD gives you a taste of what you can expect from this band from New York. Bill MacKechnie (Lead Guitar&Vocals), Michael Leo Brothers (Rhythm Guitar), Tim Costley (Bass Guitar) and Mick Loher (Drums and Pecussion) have PROFESSIONAL written all over them. The use of Mid Eastern rhythm's and grooves, Indian & Arabian Percussion and slick rock provide a feast for the listener. This is certainly one band you must give a listen.
From the hot 1st Tune "So Be It", the commercial "Underneath the Roswell Sun", the power of "More Weight"/ the floyd flavour of "Gone West", the live "Eternal Resonance" with bagpipes by piper Angus McDrone this album is 1st class. This CD contains 15 quality tracks and over an hour worth of great music.
If this wasn't meant to be a concept album, then it better become one. Superb writing by MacKechnie Excellent all round effort. Great Tracks are: "The whole CD". Stand out commercial track: "Underneath The Roswell Sun". My favourite track: "Talisman of the Dreamer" If you are thinking of buying a CD you must consider this excellent album."
---------------- Tony Watkins ( STOMPIN GROUND MUSIC ) Review for Music Monster Network
"Anubis Spire, a four man progressive hard rock band from Greene, New York deliver a heady mix of heavy '70's guitar rock infused with middle eastern and indian melodies on their debut album "Old Lions (in the world of snarling sheep).
Largely instrumental, with several vocal tracks that showcase strong songwriting skills, this CD takes the listener on a musical journey filled with great playing!
Lead guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Bill MacKechnie is definitely the star of this show! Although the remaining three members(which consist of Michael Leo Brothers on rhythm guitar and vocals, Tim Costley on bass and Mick Loher on drums) are very talented, it's MacKechnie's fantastic guitar work which dominates and captivates the listener from beginning to finish. His lead work could probably best be described as a cross between David Gilmour of Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix, with a little bit of Jimmy Page thrown in for good measure!
This is great progressive rock! Influences are very evident, within the fifteen tracks I can hear references to many classic progressive bands, such as the aforementioned Pink
Floyd(MacKechnie's vocals sound very similar at times to David Gilmour, especially on the tracks "Ransom( I'll Take My Chances)"and "Talisman Of The Dreamer") Hawkwind, Led Zeppelin (the short instrumental track, "Eternal Resonance" could easily fit on Led Zeppelin III) and the Hendrix inspired guitar licks on "Underneath The Roswell Sun".
Anubis Spire have created an album that will grow on you more and more with repeated listenings, each time discovering something new in the process! My only complaint about the album is the sometimes uneven production quality on a few tracks. Otherwise, this is a great debut album from a band I will be wanting to hear alot more from in the (hopefully near) future! If you are looking for something a bit different, yet still desire an album with great playing that rocks, I would definitely recommend this album! "
Rating: 8.5/10 ---Review by Keith Langerman Metal and Hard Rock Area Homepage
"Usually I am suspicious when someone sends me a CD, tape or product to review. If they tell me they read my column and like it that makes me doubly suspicious, since I really wonder who is reading this stuff out there anyway. So I have to admit that when I received this CD, as usual, I hesitated before putting it on the stereo. A snow day home from the day gig helped to expedite the process.
I threw in the CD, cranked up the volume and sat back in my chair. It took all of about 30 seconds and I was hooked. It had to be voodoo... musical heroin; I really don't know how to explain it. All I know is I liked it and was craving for more even before the first song was completed. The musical hooks and the musicianship right from the opening notes floored me.
...What makes it stand out is that it is very original, and is so different from what you are currently hearing on the radio...The raw talent involved in this CD is just staggering. Almost every track is a winner. "So be it" opens the CD and sets the tone for the musical adventure to begin...Listening to this music is a delight. It is refreshing to hear something so fresh and interesting on the horizon. This band does not follow trends but makes them, or should I say have never compromised their integrity.
OLD LIONS is a must have...If you are a fan of the strange, the bizarre, the obscure and the extremely talented then you need to own this CD. As an "old lion" myself I have to admit that I now feel like I should be throwing out my U2, Pearl Jam and Offspring CD's and getting into the "Anubis" groove..."
---Al Pepiak-- Guitar Digest --
"Progressive rock is back! Well, it never really left, but if you can't get enough Arabic and Indian influenced guitar driven rock music and you've worn out three copies of Page and Plant's "No Quarter" than Anubis Spire is for you. Their first album, "Old Lions (in the world of snarling sheep)" is a progressive rock feast that goes from blazing sandstorms of guitar and bass effects to fairly mediocre Rush or Yes rip-offs. Okay, it's true that this album has got some material that's derivative and commercial, but I suppose Bill MacKechnie, Michael Leo Brothers, Tim Costley and Mick Loher would like to make a little money at what they do. I won't begrudge them that.
As for shortcomings, even the most derivative stuff sticks in your head like a good commercial song should. "Underneath the Roswell Sun" has Bill MacKechnie doing his best Geddy Lee on lead vocals. As a Rush fan, at first I was kind of offended, then I shifted over to moderate dislike, and by now I think I kind of like it. "The Prisoner's Song," on the other hand, is just cumbersome listening. It's too drawn out for its own good. Anubis Spire has the songwriting skills of a progressive rock band, but the lyrics tend to fall down a bit. Fortunately, very few tracks are cluttered with them.
The soundscapes of Arabic percussion, double bass guitars, and bagpipes are where this record gets strong. Leaving aside "Roswell" pure instrumentals like "It Has Been A Long Time, Hasn't It..." and "More Weight" will make you wish you'd kept that long, rock-guy haircut so you could head bang again. The excerpt from a live version of "Eternal Resonance" is honestly danceable, although it's too short. Never fear, it's followed by "The Road to Damascus," with heavy duty guitar work that breaks it down faster than your average United States imposed peace accord. They do a little Jimi thing, making a guitar talk to you, on "May This be Forever." They scale the heavens in "Anubis Rising" with a guitar crescendo that builds throughout the piece. They've got what is takes to be progressive rockers, a desire to see what a guitar can do, and a willingness to try any instrument that contributes to the sound they want to make.
Curiously, Anubis Spire rated a mention in an article in Yahoo Internet life, where they joined the list of "mediocre music by bands with mediocre names." The writer of that article concluded that pop is as much about image as about music, and that while pop fans may not be musicologists, they can tell a satisfying pop experience from an unsatisfying one. As a non-musicologist, that's garbage. Music is about music, simple as that. With a few exceptions, Anubis Spire delivers the goods in terms of a satisfying music experience.
So what it the cover graphic on their album is blurry? You keep the cover; I'll keep the record."
----Kevin Kreiner-- MP3critic.com - The Internet's Independent Music Guide
"I'd heard alot about this band and quite frankly some of it was not all that flattering. Now, a month after buying the CD-(yes, I never request a free one for my reviews-- that way if I hate it, I feel no compulsion to take it easy on the band)--I realize those negative comments are mute. Those that said the CD was aimless jamming weren't really listening. Many of the others simply didn't know what to make of them. The music and the production sound very different to what most are used to, but that should be applauded in this time of safe conformity. The desire to seek categories and lump dissimilar things together is only human, but ultimately dumb. These guys hide behind funny hats, sunglasses and self deprecating humor, but one listen to cuts like SO BE IT and OLD LIONS and you know they can more than hold their own musically against anyone on the planet... Bill MacKechnies' guitar is the lynchpin of this band. Once in awhile you hear a quick homage or tip of the hat to people like Hendrix, Page and McLauglin but most of what he plays is pure MacKechnie. I have never heard another guitarist who sounds like him. Blindingly fast descending and ascending chromatics that are more akin to the trance dances of the Dervish than the gymnastics of the shredder. In a lot of guitar-based music you can almost hear the guitarist thinking "this will impress the guys down at GUITARPLAYER magazine!" with MacKechnie you really wonder if he's still in his body or has been possessed by some alien entity that has just been dying to play for an eon or two. Timing and accents seem to be from some other dimension or alternate reality, and sound wrong on first listen and only begin to fit when you stop trying to make them fit... This is a band that matters. If their next CD is as good as their debut, ANUBIS SPIRE has a bright future.
-----Charles Jalewski--MERIDIAN NEWS--INDIE REVIEWS
"ANUBIS SPIRE hits you right between the eyes with the Arabic guitar-frenzy of "So Be It". Starting with a spooky voice lead-in right out of a grade Z horror movie, this tune literally sent shivers up my spine! MONSTER guitar meltdown alternating with a driving Whirling-dervish beat... If this doesn't get your blood boiling SEE YOUR DOCTOR!...you may be DEAD!>>Price Walther-MUSIC SANDWICH MAGAZINEDAWNLIGHT<<<<<<
"At the heart of the music is MacKechnie's exciting guitar work which strikes me as a combination of Steve Hackett, Dave Gilmour, and Glen Phillips, all on some pretty serious steroids.....What seems to be a MacKechnie trademark is alternating between blistering runs and tasteful melody lines. The guitar is always in the forefront, but he doesn't wear the listener down with flash....certainly a guitarist that will appeal to prog fans who like both emotion and fury".
Jerry Kranitz (Anubis Spire Review- Music Sites Page )
"New Age Metal? If such a label exists, it should be applied to Anubis Spire... Many of the cuts on this debut album are instrumentals steeped in middle eastern / Indian melody. The driving force in many of these songs is Bill MacKechnie's pyrotechnic fretwork, particularly noted in "So Be It", the first track. If you like the band Rush, you should give this band a good listen"
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---THE LAZERS EDGE
"Wow, I can't believe that this music has been kept independent for so long. The bands playing style reminds me of Pink Floyd. The guitarists (Bill MacKechnie) work involves soothing, airy guitar work, and incredibly fast work... The songs are crisp, technically superb, and melodic. The skill of this group amazes me, as the guitar solos are as fast as most guitar players only dream of, and the melodies are intricate and fascinating. The more one listens to it, the more one falls in love with the style. (They) draw upon hard beats at times, Arabic music, and world music. ... everyone should try out the old lions because the music has a lot to offer."
- THE RECORD REVIEWER-
"I DEFY YOU to find another band that blends so many different influences so seamlessly. Instead of sounding like a bunch of disjointed stolen licks grafted over a rock beat (like SOME popular prog-rockers I could name) Anubis Spire ASSIMILATES and comes up with a signature sound of their own! That, my friends, IS the mark of a band to be reckoned with! If they're not signed by this New Years day, it will PROVE my theory that the major companies are now run by spineless, pony-tailed, fashion-FASCISTS who couldn't find real talent if it hit them in the ass! "
STANLEY P. (IUMA comment #103-comments page)
"A good album, played with great variation. Ranging from prog metal to jazz through to psychedelia and more traditional prog with arabian/Indian eastern influences. Albums and bands that have come to mind during listening to this, other than the already mentioned ones are, Roger Waters "Amused To Death", Fish "Sunsets On Empire" Tea In The Sahara "Boomerang" and "Behind The Door" Of course when refering to most of these I am only refering to little snippets here and there. I guess that Spastic Ink would be the one most reoccuring comparison but to say that they sound like any other band would not really do them justice since their music frequently changes. This kind of music is not what I ordinarily listen to, since I´m more into traditional prog or even neoprog but since I listen to a wide range of different music I still find myself appreciating this very much. These are really competent musicians with good material and that will always be worthwhile and interesting. I look forward to hearing more from them in the future".-- anubis review(First light)
"...May this be forever"- reminds me of a Fripp/Belew sound. And that's a good thing....when I say "reminds me" don't take it as I think it's a blatant ripoff, it's actually a compliment... "So Be It"- wonderful guitar work, takes my auditory nerves to a new height! Great percussion work as well. I really like this song! "The Prisoners song"- nice Harmonies....nice beat....nice song....depressing as hell......LOVE IT!....."Amida Rising"- Beautiful guitar work.....kind of a bluesy feel...."Old Lions-..." My favorite song on the disc....this song is infectious!"
--- J.P.'s Ultimate Metal Links Page
"Take a sonic trip down the road to Cairo! This debut album features instrumentals with fast paced fretwork and melodic fusion patterns. This is an album that has to be experienced. Bill MacKechnie's guitar work is simply as awesome as many reviews have already noted... Lets not dismiss the vocal tracks, which have a "Tullish" vocal style, which rounds off this trip to where Anubis is rising"
--- OnlineExpress
"Old Lions (In The World Of Snarling Sheep) is an excellent progressive rock album.
... the tracks do have good strong melodies and show quite a lot of originality.
Except for four tracks, they are all instrumentals, showing a high degree of musicianship.
There's a great degree of variety of mood's within the tracks and a few of my favorites include 'So Be It', 'It Has Been A long Time, Hasn't It...', "Anubis Rising", which has a Hendrix style intro to it,"Underneath the Roswell sun", and the title track 'Old Lions (In The World of Snarling Sheep)' ...Highly Recommended!!!"
----STORMBRINGER WEBZINE
"These guys are not amateurs to the music world. Their sound is unique and listening to the cd, they cannot be compared at any rate. Really cool guitar work on the first track "So Be It". The band is really tight and the cd proves it. If you are looking for music strictly First Class, look no further. Anubis Spire will soon occupy a space in you cd player. Catch Them If You Can........."
--CRUSHED METAL
"ANUBIS SPIRE harkens back to a time not so long ago, when bands had vision, adventure, and an unquenchable desire to see what's beyond the next curve. Back to a time when, musicians by their sheer power of intent, invented new genres rather than follow the herd. ANUBIS SPIRE blends and assimilates their influences with their own distinctive sonic signature, and plays with a wild abandon that is both joyful and ominously beautiful. This is not a band to be taken lightly. If you're looking for "peer-group approved" music, ANUBIS SPIRE is not for you. If you're hungry for something that has more than surface-sheen and attitude, and will surprise you with each new listen, you won't be disappointed". Faithfen-- TEMPLE OF ANUBIS
"Old Lions" (In the world of snarling sheep), comes with 15 original tracks, four of them which are vocal songs and the rest instrumental. I would describe their music as heavy rock with metal guitar riffs and distortion. Very melodic and at times mellow. I hear maybe a little Pink Floyd influence in certain instrumental parts. And some 80's rock influence as well. One of my favorite songs is "Underneath the Roswell Sun"..."Tell me about the yellow book. Tell me about the grey's. Tell me how the universe changed, back in those post-war days. Tell me all the secrets that you hid now that your race is run. Tell me what you really found that day underneath the Roswell sun. Tell me how you lived with yourself, all these years. When you wake up in the dark do you still feel the fear? Tell me the truth, now that the lies have won. Was it really angels you found underneath the Roswell sun?". --DIANES REVIEWS ( ISCH REVIEW )
"The musicianship here is top notch, no question...lead guitar work is especially fluid, although all players deserve a pat on the back. The bass and drums understand what it means to be a rhythm section....I'm not a big fan of this genre, so the fact that I did enjoy this alot speaks volumes for the quality of this tape. The band states they have a CD upcoming, and if it's a little more focused than this tape, fans of the genre better get in line now". --
-- 100% Independent: The Reviews
"OK, OK, I guess it had to happen. The retro-cool clock has moved forward in time to 1983, and "Under the Roswell Sun" has been released by a hitherto unknown label-mate of Blue Oyster Cult. Somehow, they hooked an audio sampling device up to their time machine. (Sorry, but I had to make the comparison. Maybe it's just the UFO thing.)
This is for sure a guitar band with a brain. Kind of like heavy metal that's not afraid to get quiet – and not as zippy as the Steve Vai/ Joe Satriani freaks out in California. We ain't gonna show off, unless you're gonna really listen".
----- DMR Diversions review
"Anubis Spire are coming from the States and they play Hard Rock in a very bluesy style. Someone might call it Blues in a Hard Rockin way. Whatever you like, we like both. They have a wide range of influences since in some songs they mix even Egyptian or Oriental elements in their music. Not that this is bad of course since it enriches their sound, making it sound not so standard American. It is very difficult to categorize them, since in some songs you can even hear influences from Pink Floyd ! An album with 15 songs, most of which are instrumentals. A very sentimental album, which in my opinion requires the full attention of the listener. Highly recommended to open minded people who like to have a break from Metal ...
--- Tombstone Fanzine - |
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Location:
Greene NY, USA
Anubis Spire Website
Anubis37@aol.com
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