Roswell Six

Terra Incognita: Line In The Sand

Price: 12.25

Review / Notes:

A relatively new name to the progressive scene, Roswell Six was launched last year by ProgRock Records in conjunction with bestselling American sci-fi author Kevin J. Anderson. Under the epithet of Terra Incognita, the idea behind the project was somewhat innovative insofar as it involved devising and recording a musical soundtrack to compliment Anderson’s then latest book ‘Terra Incognita: The Edge Of The World’. Entitled ‘Terra Incognita: Beyond The Horizon’, the musical interpretation enabled Anderson to expand some of the themes within the book into full blown lyrics; lyrics that were then put to music by Rocket Scientists man Erik Norlander. Featuring guest vocals from his other half (Lana Lane), as well as such luminaries as John Payne (ex Asia), James LaBrie (Dream Theater) and Michael Sadler (ex Saga), the grand musical vision was finally brought to life with the help of various members of Shadow Gallery, Kansas and Prymary. Full of diverse light and shade, ‘Beyond The Horizon’ was a challenging yet stimulating release which won Roswell Six much praise from the theatrical / progressive rock press. Now, having barely had time to pause for breath, Anderson and the band are back with the next book (entitled ‘The Map Of All Things’ for those who are interested) and CD in the series. For sophomore release ‘Terra Incognita: A Line In The Sand’, compositional and production duties have passed to ex Frameshift man Henning Pauly, and not surprisingly, an altogether darker, more intense vision has emerged. Now, given that the subject matter of the book itself deals with the horrors of prolonged warfare, which by my reckoning was a rather astute change. Sadler reprises his role from the first disc, this time around being joined by such instantly recognisable names as Steve Walsh, Charlie Dominici, Sass Jordan and Arjen Lucassen. Think Ayreon meets a slightly less metal opera Avantasisa with plenty of Leonardo, Frameshift and Cairo references (plus the odd dollop of metal and even AOR), and you’ll begin to get an inkling of the varied terrain Roswell Six cover here. A passionate, perfectly executed, emotively charged exercise in epic story telling which should fascinate anyone with a penchant for theatrical melodrama. (D.Cockett)