I really look forward to the days when
either a friend (Michael K) recommends a band, especially if it’s a gem of a release. In this instance it’s a UK
melodic rock band from Manchester called Atlas. Just don’t confuse them with
the other Atlas who is a metal Bengali band.
Atlas (UK) consists of Craig Wells
(Vocals), Howie Little (Guitars), John Moss (Guitars), James Thorley
(Keys/Percussion) and Christian Redfearn (Bass).
‘World In Motion’ is a four track EP that
I’ve been waiting to hear since I heard a song of theirs a couple of months
back. On early inspection vocalist Craig Wells is a mix of Tony Mills and Vince
Neil. Guitarist John Moss has recently been added and his guitar work is
exemplary. Just check out the Atlas FB page, which shows John jamming along to
a couple of Work of Art tracks (and others) which, is no bad thing in my opinion.
The album cover is pretty cool. Its more like a band in the vein of Spocks Beard, or Riverside might have. It definitely looks like a Prog cover than a melodic rock one.
The album cover is pretty cool. Its more like a band in the vein of Spocks Beard, or Riverside might have. It definitely looks like a Prog cover than a melodic rock one.
Opening track ‘Change Of Heart’ sounds as
if Tony Mills is fronting Vega. There’s some definite Vega-esque ‘Whoa’s’ and
keyboard riffage along with some excellent guitar work from both Little and
Moss. ‘Alexandria’ is the weakest of the four. It’s not bad, but Atlas has some
good stuff going on for the rest of the EP. The pitch is high on the vocals for
the early part, but settles into place once the chorus comes into play.
The stand out tracks by a country mile is
the latter two. First is the rather excellent ‘Cross The Line’ a true melodic
rock song in a 80s influenced style, everything about it is good. (Bloody Good!) It brings in influences from
Survivor, and sees Moss trading riffs with James Thorley’s keyboards. Exceeding
it for brilliance is ‘Lost In The Moment’. There’s a lot more going on with
this track, its more in line with something on the lighter side that Dream
Theater would do, it ranges from complex, to acoustic and then technical,
before finishing with a more West Coast vibe, this my dear reader is a damn
good song.
If the first two songs were on a par with
the last two, then Atlas would have an absolute pearler on their hands. As it
stands its comfortably good. This is a very promising EP. The guitar work from
John Moss is particularly of note, but when it is set amongst the mix of the
other guys its taken up another notch as what could be some humdrum songs by
others is given a kick up the arse and you just have to take notice.
I hope that some bands touring the UK
(especially those from Sweden) would take Atlas under their wing and get them
out to a decent audience. Also HRH, Rockingham SOS and JSY could do these guys
a favour and get them on their bills.
80/100
Atlas
Craig Wells- Vocals
Howie Little – Guitars
John Moss – Guitars
James Thorley – Keys / Percussion
Christian Redfearn – Bass
EP Sampler can be heard here - https://soundcloud.com/atlasprojectuk
Tracklisting
Change Of Heart
Alexandria
Cross The Line
Lost In The Moment
https://www.facebook.com/atlasprojectuk/
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