CEREBUS EFFECT
"Acts
of Deception" (Self-produced; 2005)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
"Acts Of Deception" for sure. Well, it was mainly yours truly deceiving himself.
I was all set to hear harsh metalcore via Cerebus Effect's "Acts Of Deception," but was pleasantly surprised when I heard the complex and invigorating sounds of prog-rock and fusion pouring out of the speakers. Cerebus Effect's music is in fact cerebral and challenging – it's aggressive and intriguing.
While listening to "Acts Of Deception" I kept recalling all the times I've heard King Crimson and Allan Holdsworth. These two acts I remember quite vividly, mostly because it was so difficult for me to appreciate it so many years ago. There can be no doubt these two acts have to be primary influences in each band member's collective conscience.
There's little in the way of neo-classical noodling on "Acts Of Deception" – which is funny because I actually kind of like neo-classical jamming. However, this disc is heavy on rock with intense progressive and technical approaches being the sound basis for the album's heaviness. But the fusion aspect plays a huge role – at all times the four members of Cerebus Effect are playing their instruments in such a way that they all sound independent of each other but somehow are part of a cohesive whole.
"Acts Of Deception" is primarily instrumental in nature. There are some vocals, but they are more for effect rather than a platform for the band to tell a story or share their views.
Artwork should not be too much of a determining factor in how one approaches listening to a band, but "Acts Of Deception" features three strikingly different images. These three different images are a clue as to the many tangents that Cerebus Effect pulls together into their music.
Good God – these guys are in my backyard! Cerebus Effect are based here in the mid-Atlantic region and "Acts Of Deception" was recorded at Baltimore's Orion Studios (Orion Studios is famous for being the venue of choice for recording and the live setting as well for many progressive bands).
If there was any justice in the world a label like InsideOut or Magna Carta would pick these guys up in a heartbeat. Finally, two parallels that I can draw for you as current example of the same kind of sonic territory that Cerebrus Effect cover would be Djam Karet and At War With Self.
"Acts Of Deception" was produced by Cerebus Effect.
Cerebus Effect: Joseph Walker on guitar, Mike Galway on bass, Dan Britton on keyboards, acoustic guitar and vocals, and Patrick Gaffney on drums.
For more information visit http://www.cerebuseffect.com/.
"Acts
of Deception" (Self-produced; 2005)
Reviewed by Snidermann
I really do not know what Cerebus Effect was thinking when they sent "Acts of Deception" to RoughEdge.com The music here is mostly instrumental jazz mixed with fast talking background vocals that I simply cannot begin to understand.
If you are fan of the Grateful Dead or Moe you might like this music. As I am not, I really do not care for "Acts of Deception."
Cerebus Effect: Joseph Walker on guitar, Mike Galway on bass, Dan Britton on keyboards, acoustic guitar and vocals, and Patrick Gaffney on drums.
For more information visit http://www.cerebuseffect.com/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2005 by R. Scott Bolton. All
rights reserved.
Revised: 15 Apr 2024 15:20:25 -0400
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