There are some bands that seem to fly under the radar, even in the progressive underground, and I have always been mystified as to why Cryptic Vision aren’t far more well known. It certainly isn’t down to lack of musical ability, songs, hooks and prog timings as these guys have all of the chops. They may not be the most prolific when it comes to releases but the same can be said of most of the bands in the genre. However, after a five year gap they are back with the conclusion to the trilogy ‘Moments Of Clarity In A World Of Infinite Possibilities’. The five guys behind Cryptic Vision are main songwriter, drummer, guitarist and keyboard player Rick Duncan, vocalist Todd Plant (Eyewitness, Millenium), keyboard player Howard Helm (Zon, Refugee), bassist Sam Conable and guitarist Tim Kesse but they have also brought in some guests in the form of David Ragsdale (Kansas), Gary Schutt, John Zahner, Shawn Bowen, John Leblanc, Mike Carello and Carrie Preston.
The note density and complexity is off the scale, while intricacy and harmony vocals are also the order of the day. It is almost as if Spock’s Beard and Gentle Giant have combined forces with Kansas and Presto Ballet to produce something very special indeed. This is prog that is very much for today but also looks back with loads of references to great bands of the past that have somehow been melded together into something that is just incredible. It is immediate, with a very American feel, yet it also has incredible depth and the more that it is played the more the listener will get from it. I remember that before I left the UK I played one of their albums virtually non stop in the car, and even back then I couldn’t believe that this wasn’t a name familiar to all progheads. If you enjoy prog, and you must do otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this, then you owe it to your ears to investigate further.
Visit www.therecordlabel.net and listen to some samples.
