Hailing from Austin, TX, Distant Lights is a five piece progressive art rock band featuring electric cello, powerful vocals, thick harmonies, and wild displays of virtuosity.

10 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Progressive Rock, AVANT GARDE: Sound Art

Details:
Once the music starts the eyes will never leave the stage. Distant Lights is a union of schooled and seasoned musicians with high ideals and extreme musical standards. The ensemble forges its music collaboratively through fiery debates and uncompromising flashes of true inspiration yielding polished and luring performances.
Their first record, just released Spring 2008, is a concept album produced by David Dreesen of Jacketweather Studio. Based upon the bandâs empathetically conscientious viewpoints of our current society, the album tells a musical story of a fictional society hypnotized by the propaganda of the political and socioeconomic machine that lulls them to sleep. Each song has an accompanying work of art that highlights the scenarios depicted in the music.
The band breaks the mold by featuring cellist Jon Dexter, soloist of Richard Linklaterâs A Scanner Darkly, as an example of artistry never before seen in a rock ensemble. Lead vocalist Gabriel Fry captivates audiences with his unique ability to saturate melodies with pure emotion. Songwriter Gaelan Bellamy packs an arsenal of powerful lead guitar abilities, backing vocals, and writing techniques that fuse with the avant-garde, metal driven chance composition of award winning bassist Sam Marshall. These elements combined with the tasteful, virtuosic drumming of Chris Hynes, weave an intricate foundation that characterizes the Distant Lights sound.

âWe are five human beings who have absolutely made up our mind to inspire the world through music. Every drop of energy spent on stage and in the studio is our contribution to this life and what we know of it. Listen, learn, love, feel...â â Gabriel Fry

âDistant Lights propagate new rock music with the accuracy of a fine-tuned machine designed to bore through the slabs of mediocrity and complacency so prevalent in todayâs market. Razor-sharp riffs, densely complex rhythms, and a voice that cuts glass are ingredients for a powerful, cohesive unit of talented, inspired force. Listen to thisâ â Steve Bernal, bassist with E.S.L. recording artist Federico Aubele

"In a world of one-hit-wonders and Mp3 singles, it's good to know that creating a full-length album is an art form that still exists. Distant Lights, with their CD, Simulacrum, have taken this art form to an impressive level. Simulacrum offers a great storyline set to beautiful landscapes of artwork and lyrics. The final product is phenomenal.

The first thing you'll notice when you look at Simulacrum is the great artwork that graces the cover and pages of the insert. This artwork, design, and layout was produced by art director Rich Knepprath (from Fireside Creative), Paul Johnson, and band member Gaelen Bellamy. It is a well organized collection of dark animations that follow the story of the album perfectly.

The music that goes along with this artwork is also very professional, and very unique. Distant Lights offer an ambient rock production that leans slightly toward the heavier end of the spectrum (even with the presence of a cello). The sound is great, and the musicianship is stellar.

It was suggested to me that the best way to experience this CD was to listen to the music, follow the artwork, and read along with the lyrics. That is what I did, and I truly was impressed at the vision behind this project. The storyline, by guitarist and backing vocalist Gaelan Bellamy, starts by looking at the human condition. He examines the control we are under by things that we perceive we cannot change. Being almost in a dream-like state, the character in this story later awakens to realize that as difficult as it may be, when people unite, change can be accomplished. In "Emptiness and Ever,â the final tune of the disc, singer Gabriel Fry proclaims, "Focus on the coming trees / Aloft like birds we rise above / New consciousness remains / A greater good is garnered here."

Though there is a great advantage to taking in the artwork, songs, and lyrics as a whole, there certainly are standout hits on Simulacrum, such as my favorite tune, "Artifice." It opens with a brilliantly played composition by cellist Jon Dexter (who also plays keyboards on the album). The band soon joins in as the guitar doubles the cello. Backed by drummer Chris Hynes and bassist Sam Marshall, "Artifice" and other tunes on this disc offer musical changes that are pleasingly intricate and unexpected.

Simulacrum is the manifestation of a very complex vision molded perfectly by a great team of artists, musicians, producer David Dreesen, and recording personnel. You'll certainly enjoy the great tunes this CD has to offer. However, you'll enjoy the experience much more if you take in the entire story, artwork, and vision that Distant Lights has created with their standout release, Simulacrum." - ListenersGeneration.com

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