Perfect Era - 2019 - Beneath The Clouds We Dream

(42:47; Perfect Era)

For the last three years I have been working away from home, which means I generally get home only once a month. If any packages arrive for me during that period my wife puts them in the study so I can go through them on my return, add any CDs onto my review list etc. When I was home this time, I redecorated the study which included moving out every piece of furniture so I could pain the walls, and as I did so an unopened envelope fell from between the desk and the wall. Inside was this CD, which was sent to me in March 2019 according to the postmark, but it was the first time I had seen it! To say I was mortified is something of an understatement.

Needless to say, I contacted the band immediately, and also put this at the top of my listening list and was soon quite annoyed that it had taken so long for me to hear the album. This is modern symphonic prog with some melodic rock elements, all pulled together with strong musicianship and some stunning vocals. This is their debut, and I do not know their history, but I get the impression that some of the guys had worked together before, while I note that it was recorded in three different countries which does make me wonder if this is more of a project than a gigging outfit. However they got together we can be glad they did, as this is a great combination of guitar-led keyboard driven prog with stunning vocals. The initial core were Todd J. Paskin (guitars), Roger Bush (keyboards), Don Beatrice (bass) and Brian Hopkins (drums), and then they found singer Arnab Sangupta

Although this feels modern in its approach, there are very strong links back to the 90’s American prog bands with the mix of prog and melodic hard rock, while there are times when they also use keyboard sounds similar to early Saga. The result is something that is incredibly enjoyable the very first time it is played, and it only gets better from there on in. Arnab is a real find, able to hit long notes and stay perfectly on pitch while he also has great range. There are a few times when he does seem a little disconnected from the music underneath him, and one wonders if all vocals were recorded remotely, but even with this it is a great debut and the one positive I can take from it being so long since it fell down hidden in my study, is that hopefully there will soon be another one! This is also available on Bandcamp and progheads who enjoy a more neo approach would do well to seek this out.

Kev Rowland, January 2022

Links:
http://perfecteraband.com/