In early 1998 The Laser's Edge signed Sean Malone, a former member of the avant-garde metal band Cynic, for the release of his upcoming instrumental solo album Gordian Knot.
Gordian Knot was conceived as a project to demonstrate Malone's abilities as both composer and performer. Malone's ground-breaking performance on Cynic's 1994 release Focus brought him worldwide acclaim for his bass work and his mastery of the 12-string Chapman Stick. On Gordian Knot, he pushes the instrument to its limits - whether he is playing percussive bass lines, flowing glissandos, or pure shredding leads that would wither most guitarists.
Only musicians of the highest caliber could perform music of such complexity. Drawing from the genres of progressive rock and metal, Malone invited an all-star lineup to participate:
Trey Gunn (Warr Guitar) - A member of the current incarnation of the legendary progressive ensemble King Crimson. In addition to contributing ear-bending Warr guitar, Gunn co-produced and mixed Gordian Knot with Sean Malone.
Sean Reinert (Drums) - Malone's former bandmate from Cynic. On Focus, Malone and Reinert demonstrated that they are perhaps the most formidable rhythm section in metal; Gordian Knot takes it to the next level.
Ron Jarzombek (Guitar) - Extraordinary guitarist from the bands Watchtower and Spastic Ink. Watchtower and Cynic are both regarded as the seminal exponents of the technical metal genre. This is the first time that members from both bands have recorded together.
Glenn Snelwar (Guitar) - Gordian Knot is Glenn Snelwar's recording debut, contributing both acoustic and electric guitar. Snelwar's sonic pallette ranges from nylon-string guitar to E-bow, and everything in between.
John Myung (Chapman Stick) - Appears as special guest on two tracks. As a member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater, Myung has become one of the highest profile bassists in music. The rhythmic patterns he creates on Chapman Stick for the Gordian Knot project are hypnotic.
Unlike other "all-star" projects, Gordian Knot is primarily the vision of one composer - Sean Malone. Because each member had the flexibility to contribute his own parts, the music has a fully-integrated, group sound, with the personality of each musician fully realized; it is a seamless whole, rather than a loose collection of studio jams. Gordian Knot is a highly composed and organized collection of songs that blur the distinction between progressive rock and metal. |
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