{"id":39820,"date":"2006-06-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2006-06-30T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailyvault.adishjain.in\/index.php\/reviews\/the-theory\/"},"modified":"2006-06-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2006-06-30T00:00:00","slug":"the-theory","status":"publish","type":"review","link":"https:\/\/dailyvault.adishjain.in\/index.php\/reviews\/the-theory\/","title":{"rendered":"The Theory"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Gareth Thomas is a South African now living in Wales,
\nbut that’s not important. What matters is that debut recording is
\nan impressive self-produced progressive rock journey through many
\ninstrumental landscapes. Playing all instruments on these primarily
\nguitar-centric songs, his compositions are powerful and cover a
\nwide palate of sonic textures from spacey ambience to
\nbone-crunching heavy metal.<\/p>\n

Thomas expresses a wide range of influences; nods to
\nprog voyagers Pink Floyd and Porcupine Tree cross paths with the
\nthe likes of Metallica and Iron Maiden, as well as contemporary
\naxe-slingers like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. You might even catch
\na stylistic nuance of Alex Lifeson and David Gilmour.<\/p>\n

One of the pitfalls I have run into with this type of
\nmusic is the tendency to pile on layer after layer of
\ninstrumentation until it’s so busy the listener loses focus. Thomas
\navoids this trap while still interweaving multiple guitar tracks
\nand some tastefully restrained keys to create a full, rich sound
\nthat never becomes too dense to appreciate the careful
\narrangements.<\/p>\n

At its core, this disc is a celebration of the
\nguitar. The title track starts off dreamy and low key with some
\nGilmour-esque sustain-drenched guitar over a thrumming bass line
\nthat slowly fades out, only to return in a full-on speed metal
\nbarrage. “Elevation” begins as a moody synth trip, slowly building
\nin intensity until Thomas pulls all the stops for some maniacal
\nriffing and an incredibly juicy solo (yes, the whole disc is a
\nsolo, but I didn’t know how else to describe it). The closing
\ntrack, aptly titled “The End,” is a prog-metal tour-de-force
\nwherein Thomas gracefully travels from ethereal ambience to
\ncrushing heavy metal riffing and back again effortlessly.<\/p>\n

Throughout the disc, Thomas shows a powerful yet
\ncontrolled mastery of his instrument with his evocative and melodic
\nsolos, using the voice of the guitar to segue from the more ambient
\nmoments into rich melody and blistering fretwork without it ever
\nsounding forced.<\/p>\n

While it meanders and loses focus now and again,
\nThe Theory<\/i> features superb musicianship from Gareth Thomas.
\nIt’s a pleasure to hear a talented musician work his craft.<\/p>\n

[To buy the CD or learn more about Gareth Thomas, visit
\nwww.garfomusic.com<\/a><\/i>]<\/p>\n

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