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Progland was founded by John Gabbard in 2005. It's purpose has been to provide you, the music community with the latest music and dvd reviews. It will continue to be your link to the most popular music reviews in the progressive world.

 

No Nation - "Illumine" (A Rock Opera)

Label - Self Released
Reviewed by: Tommy Hash
Genre: Prog Rock
Country: USA
Language: English
Length: 46:30
Release Date: 2005
Label:
Self Released
Band Members: Ross Valory - Fretted and Fretless Bass Stevie Roseman - Pianos, Keyboards and Synthesizers
  John Hernandez- Drums and Percussions Ed Ulibarri - Vocals
  Stef Burns - Guitars
  Special Guests:
  Jon Anderson - Vocalizations Mike Pinder - Narration
  Jeff Tamelier - Rhythm Guitar Deby Benton-Grosjian - Violin
  Kalan Nishimoto - Taiko, Shamisen & Dizi Flute Hiroyuki "Jimi" Nakagawa - Taiko
  Eric Frykman - Acoustic Guitar Stu Sweatman - Acoustic Guitar
 
Track Listing: 1.)- Fear Not  
  2.)- Pillars Of Stone  
  3.)- Dark  
  4.)-In The Upper Room  
  5.)- One Heaven  
  6.)-Return To Love  
  7.)-Ocean Of Light
     
The Review

This is a different type of feat for Journey/Storm bassist Ross Valory; but then again, if Journey would have done concept album, it might have been something like this. Still, 'Illumine' is very different sounding, to put that into perspective, you do have similarities of the whole melodic rock standpoint (pop songwriting prowess), however, there are eastern-Asian sounds and arrangements used, then you put a whole concentration of the neo/symphonic progressive rock edge to it, and you have No Nation.

Filled with often dense arrangements and instrumentation, with the occasional key change and odd time signature, this is sincerely a major release within the 'neo' scope of things. "Fear Not" opens the record with a lush Asian vibe, filled with kotos and other ethnic instrument, with an upbeat but yet overture type sound. But this immediately leads into th emotional balladry on "Pillars of Stone;" we obviously know that we are within a concept record at this point with that turn.

Two tracks, both "Dark" and "Ocean of Light" sound like what Yes would have sounded like, had they recorded 'Tales from Topographic Oceans' and 'Relayer' in the eighties; that wonder no longer needs to be pondered. Rounding out the rest of the record, "Return to Love" begins on a mellow note, but builds up to a jam session, while "One Heaven" remains subdues throughout. To sum it up, 'Illumine' has all the right elements needed to be a the near perfect symphonic progressive rock record.

But add the guest vocals of Jon Anderson, who compliments main vocalist Ed Ulibarri with high harmonic content, and well, you don't have to be a genius to figure that one out. The keyboard textures are high in the mix along with the Rabin/Schon axe attack of Stef Burns. Nevertheless, No Nation marks a different point for both AOR and neo, it is a breath of fresh air to this often saturated genre of progressive rock.

 

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