ALBUM REVIEW: Projekt Gemineye - An Ordinary Day

PROJEKT GEMINEYE (Canada)
"An Ordinary Day" (Digital album, CD, vinyl)
(Reficul Records)
Release date: March 7th 2017
Genre: Progressive rock, heavy rock, space rock
Links:
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Mark Anthony K is a musician located in Brampton, Ontario in Canada, and he has been an active musician for twentyfive years. He formed Reckon With One in the nineties, initially a thrash metal group, but they developed a more progressive style further into their career. After the group disbanded he joined the thrashers in Exalted Piledriver for a period in 2007.

I made Mark Anthony K's aquaintance back in 2017, just after he had released his solo debut with his PROJEKT GEMINEYE, entitled "An Ordinary Day". Both of us being huge fans of the progressive rock pioneers in Yes, we quickly connected, and since we are both solo musicians with our own projects, we then checked each other's music out, and have been supporters of each other's music ever since. So, with that being said, am I really able to write an objective review of this guy's music?

The obvious first impression you get is the front cover image, created by James McCarthy. It serves as a great visual aid along with the music, and I find myself discovering new details all the time, both in the visual as well as the audible artistry that make up the total experience of this Canadian's debut effort.

"An Ordinary Day" and it's successor "A Brand New Day" are both two parts in a biographical storyline about bodily injuries and hospitalization. The songs are not chronological in terms of the events, but regardless, they do tell the story well. You can read my review about "A Brand New Day" somewhere else on this blog.

So how does it sound? The title track fades in with mysterious keyboards, chimes and woodblocks, before the massive rhythm section builds a solid foundation underneath a simple, but effective fanfare. After a majestic opening section we get a ton of double harmony guitars, soaring keyboards and even some tasty sounding moog. It is apparent that he has been both inspired and influenced by his fellow countrymen in Rush, but the basis of PROJEKT GEMINEYE is more heavy oriented, I am tempted to say. The vocals are not of the very energetic kind, but along with the before mentioned double harmony guitars, they are what I would call the "trademark" in PROJEKT GEMINEYE's music.

"The Future" is the second track, and initially a somewhat mellower tune, until the chorus comes in with heavy guitars and a nice synth melody in the center channel; a fine accompagnement to the harmonic vocals that already established themselves as part of this Canadian's signature sound.

"Funny Feeling" is another example that serves as evidence that the man behind it all has found his niche. Heavy, melodic riffs, and more of the intriguing 70's keyboards. Thus far, this is maybe not what you would call a typical progressive album, as the basic structures and riffs are often built up in a "traditional" way, but Mark Anthony K still manages to create great musical sceneries when he adds layers of atmospheric keyboards that really are the fine icing on the cake.

"The Journey" is the nine minute epic on the album, and it is probably the darkest track when it comes to the storyline. A three minute intro is just perfect for a prog lover, and while listening to the bass line during the opening seconds, I hear the undeniable Chris Squire/Geddy Lee influence.

"Fate Unknown" is the fastest one among the six tracks we have presented on the album, and here we are dealing with the more angry side of the music. The riffs and chord changes are more aggressive, almost dangerous. Quite possibly my favorite track on the album, though the title track is very close to my heart too.

"Ride On" is the instrumental closing track, and it is a very strong track with a lot of great guitar work. A perfect and worthy conclusion to an album that is a fine first statement from a man whose story is a personal one, and when it's being told the way it is on "An Ordinary Day", I am more than willing to sit down and listen to what he has to say.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Tracklist:
1. An Ordinary Day
2. The Future
3. Funny Feeling
4. The Journey
5. Fate Unknown
6. Ride On

PROJEKT GEMINEYE:
Mark Anthony K - production, all performances