Heralded Southern California-based metal fusioneers COSMOSQUAD, featuring acclaimed guitarist Jeff Kollman (Glenn Hughes, UFO) and Canadian drummer Shane Gaalaas, (B'z, Diesel Machine), have returned with their fourth album, 'Acid Test'. It marks the group's first studio effort since 2001's highly regarded 'Squadrophenia' which firmly established the band as one of the premier progressive instrumental acts on the scene.
Described by Kollman as "purposely textured, moody, multi-layered, and compostional", COSMOSQUAD's expressive fusion of dark, ethereal textures and brute, metallic force are a far cry from the million-notes-a-minute mindset the genre is often associated with. "'Acid Test' is not just a guitar record. It really is a collaboration between Shane and myself", states Kollman emphatically, who co-produced the album with Gaalaas at the drummer's Crumb West Studios in Simi Valley, CA. "The songs are focused on vibe and mood and go beyond mere shred and improv. It has those moments of sheer chops as well, but that's just another element that comes into play. The song is really at the center of what we do."
'Acid Test' is the first COSMOSQUAD effort without co-founding member, Barry Sparks, whose bass duties have been filled by a trio of capable, well credentialed players in Paul Shihadeh (Scott Kinsey), Kevin Chown (Uncle Cracker, Edwin Dare), and the group's latest full-time addition, Christopher Maloney (Dweezil Zappa, Hardline). Explains Gaalaas: " Once we started recording, we spread the tunes around to our revolving cast of bass players and everybody came through with some great playing." In addition, the album also features keyboards by Ed Roth and Jono Brown.
The 'Acid Test' track listing read as follows:
01. NuMena
02. The Spy Who Ate Her
03. Lubitorium
04. Bedbucket
05. Goathead
06. Hindenburg
07. The Long Walk Goodbye
08. Swink
09. Grossalicious
COSMOSQUAD is gearing up to hit the road in support of 'Acid Test'.
"This is not a 'project' or a group of session players getting together in between other work," explains Kollman. "This is a band in the true sense of the word. We are dedicated to continue working and writing together and to taking our live shows to a whole new level." COSMOSQUAD will be kicking off their 2007/'08 tour with a performance at their favorite Los Angeles area club, the world-famous Baked Potato, followed by a string of performance clinics in the Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin area.
Thursday, October 18
4:00 P.M
Musician's Institute
1655 N. McCadden Place
Hollywood, CA 90028
For more info visit:
www.cosmosquad.com
www.myspace.com/officialcosmosquad
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