Sure to turn a lot of heads, Presto Ballet is a new, punchy, insanely catchy prog metal band conceived by METAL CHURCH/VANDERHOOF musicologist Kurdt Vanderhoof. Their debut album is called Peace Among The Ruins and it is a record destined to make the rounds of Top Ten Lists for 2005.

What's more amazing and wholly unprecedented for a record this grand, detailed and simply stunning, is that Kurdt and his band recorded the whole thing analog...

"Oh yeah, as I will always try with everything I do," laughs Vanderhoof, seemingly oblivious of the enormity of the feat. "The recording of it was done organically; we used tape. All the keyboards and all the synths are all analog. Real mellotrons, real Chamberlains, real mini-Moogs, real everything. And basically just the process was that organically you do it. There's no cut and paste editing. It's just all on two-inch tape. That's basically how I've done every record I've ever done - you play it. You don't have a drum machine fix it (laughs); you don't do any of those kinds of things. And whatever anomalies happen due to analog and tubes and whatever stuff, are welcomed. Any of those little things... I don't want it too pristine. There's just a warmth to it. And approaching the record that way was the main starting point with it. Keeping it all very... keeping it real (laughs). Look, keeping it real, for real! (laughs)."

"The mission is the influence of the '70s prog/rock bands," continues Kurdt. "It's kind of like the Vanderhoof project on steroids (laughs). I mean, it's kind of taken that whole thing to the next step. You know, I really want to keep the Vanderhoof thing going as well. But the influence is definitely Kansas, Rush. old Styx, some Yes, some Genesis, all that stuff that I love. It's another big pile of the stuff I love, kind of like the Vanderhoof stuff. It's that same thing, but more from the prog element. And it is definitely influenced by a lot of the new stuff now, and I love to be able to actually say that. That there is a lot of new stuff out there that I really, really enjoy now. Right now I'm totally into the band IQ, Spock's Beard, Flower Kings, Symphony X, all the new prog stuff, which is just amazing. I was just thrilled to stumble across all that."

Do yourself a favour and make a point to investigate this record.

Reviewer: Louis Koot - www.pitfather.com

That seventies show!
This will surely lift some eyebrows in surprise. The last thing I expected from former Metal Church guitar player Kurdt Vanderhoof was a return to the exciting rock sound of the seventies. Without sounding outdated this Presto Ballet is a delicious collection of retro rock songs. The music dominated by analogue sound techniques with the warm sounding organ and mellotron brings back memories to the seventies. With the slight progressive and psychedelic hints this is a real delicacy to listen to!

The title track opens up with excellent classic rock while follow up The Fringes is a down right remarkable conjunction of Kansas and Uriah Heep. Singer Scott Albright blows me away with grand singing and the rich vocal layers are just delicious. The other highly qualified musicians are Brian Cokeley on piano, keys and vocals, Brian Lake (bass) and Jeff Wade (drums). The Fringes has a nice break with adventurous progressive instrumental parts like that freaky keyboard solo. Seasons is another great song with the singer, either Albright or Cokeley, sounding like Roland Orzabal from Tears For Fears and again the so typical seventies big sounding vocals. One of my favourites is Find The Time, a somewhat psychedelic ballad with immense atmosphere build around pleasant keyboard melodies. The ending part strongly reminds me of Vanilla Queen from ‘our own’ Golden Earring. It’s mouth-watering this instrumental exploratory and again singer Albright is shining!

There are no disappointments on this disc because the remaining tracks are excellent as well. Like the intriguing Speed Of Time that has Deep Purple ringing through it’s sound but offers a lot of variation with great guitar riffs and excellent bass playing. Slave is a bit heavier and different from the rest while Bringin’ It On is the ending track with a great theme wrapping up this surprising album. It’s the instrumental variation with these typical seventies sounding instruments that put the surprising jaunt in the music.
If it’s a trend of late to have the progressive sound of the seventies return, molten into the modern day rock format, then I welcome it very much!

4.5/5

Reviewer: Bam-Bam, www.away-team.com

Holy Shit!!! Sounding like a heavy, kick ass version of Styx meets Kansas with a little Dream Theater thrown in for good measure, Presto Ballet’s Peace Among The Ruins is a HIT!!! Great songwriting, killer production, and the technical muster that would put a hurting on the threesome known as Rush; this band is incredible!!! Eight songs, most of them very epic in length, that were produced by the gifted Kurdt Vanderhoof are offered up on this outing like a personal invitation to the “Second Coming”. Nothing to see here other than beautifully executed Power/Progressive Metal, plain and simple. The album rocks, the musicianship is incredible, and sonically…it’s perfect. Run to your nearest music retailer and pick this up or jump online to WWW.INSIDEOUTMUSIC and snag one before they’re all gone. Extremely Recommended!!!

10/10

Reviewer: George Dionne, www.rock-is-life.com

Yet another side project for Metal Church guitarist Kurt Vanderhoof. This time around Kurt and his latest batch of talented musicians have decided to record a 70s style rock album. The album was recorded in somewhat of an ‘old school’ manner; analogue synthesizers, real Hammond organs, and real Mellotron sounds were used. The album was even recorded on analogue tape.

The title track “Peace Among the Ruins” assaults you right off the bat with a plethora of Hammond keyboard changes and jarring guitar riffs. Vocalist Scott Albright is soulful and melodic in his delivery, almost mimicking Dream Theater’s James LaBrie. “The Fringes” is an eight minute masterpiece that recalls the progressive sounds of bands like Kansas, Deep Purple, and Genesis. As with most songs from that era, the organ dominates you auditory canal. The track has plenty of indulgent instrumental breaks to compliment its catchy lyrical arrangement.

“Speed of Time” opens with beautiful acoustic guitar finger-picking and soft strings. Guitar riffage and frantic keyboard runs kick in shortly thereafter. It almost seems that Presto Ballet used every instrument they could get there hands on in the studio on this one. Albright really flexes his vocal muscles here. “Bring It On” has lots of acoustic strumming and lots of passionate vocals.

If I didn’t know this came out in 2005, I wouldn’t have believed it. Presto Ballet have captured that 70s prog-rock sound perfectly.

4/5

Reviewer: Amazon Editorial, www.amazon.com

Presto Ballet is the new band from Kurdt Vanderhoof, who is well known for his work as a member of the legendary heavy metal band Metal Church. Presto Ballet is dedicated to melodic progressive rock and Peace Among The Ruins is an amazing debut album with sophisticated songwriting and tight production. The talented musicians and their careful choice of instruments, like Mellotron and Hammond Organ, make this album a must for every music lover.

Reviewer: Rita Bayer, www.ytsejam.com

Presto Ballet is the new band from Metal Church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof. Singer Scott Albright was lead singer on Vanderhoof's first solo album and also frontman for his European tour, as special guests of Savatage. As with Albright, keyboard player Brian Cokeley is also a longtime musical partner of Vanderhoof. Cokeley has worked with the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, Quiet Riot and Vanilla Fudge. Rounding out the line up are drummer Jeff Wade and bassist Brian Lake, with whom Vanderhoof was already familiar with, having joined him on Metal Church's "Masterpeace" tour.

If you want to know how good old prog-rock of the late 60's, early 70's sounded, you've to check out this new band, called “Presto Ballet”. I've to admit that I'd never associated this band-name with this kind of music, but I think, that's my cup of tea. Peace Among The Ruins reminds me of the very first Yes, Deep Purple, Kansas releases but also of bands like The Moody Blues, Uriah Heep, of course also Vanilla Fudge and on track 6 “Sunshine” you get the feeling that “The Beatles” of 68, were still alive.

What this album really sets apart from all releases that came out during the last 25 years and had the same approach as Presto Ballet: to sound like a prog-rock band of the 70's, is: “Peace Among The Ruins” was REALLY recorded with analogue synthesizers, real Hammond organ, real mellotron sounds. BUT this wasn't enough for these guys to make the album sound as original as possible…they recorded the songs with an analogue tape machine!!!! Who ever has worked with such an analogue tape machine, knows that recording this way can be described as an ADVENTURE. If it's true that Presto Ballet is planning to tour with this equipment, I only can say: "HATS UP"!!!

Let's wait and see if Presto Ballet is also intended to differentiate themselves from present styles on their upcoming releases and if they're going to produce a personal and original music - taking its inspiration from the past but combining it more with metal and prog-rock influences of today .

4.5/5

Reviewer: Pete Pardo, www.seaoftranquility.org

What do you get when you bring together the styles of The Beatles, Aviary, Skid Row, Yes, The Flower Kings, Dream Theater, Styx, Kansas, and Deep Purple? Why, you get Presto Ballet, the new band formed by Metal Church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof. Before you say “you mean Metal Church the thrash band?”, hear me out. Presto Ballet sounds like it could have been recorded in the late 70’s, as Vanderhoof and keyboard player Brian Cokeley have utilized anolog synthesizers, real Hammond organ, and real Mellotron sounds. Add in some crunchy guitar work, plenty of catchy hooks, and the James LaBrie-meets-Sebastian Bach-meets-Brad Love-meets-Dennis DeYoung vocal style of Scott Albright, and you have a very enjoyable progressive hard rock recording that pleases more and more after each listen.

There’s not a bad tune here, and really the CD contains something for everyone. The kick ass title track, is a super-charged number that starts off like a smokin’ Deep Purple cut, with raging Hammond organ and beefed up guitar riffs, before the gorgeous Mellotron kicks in along with some wild synth passages. The mini-epic “The Fringes” contains some great bass work from Brian Lake, as the track starts off in fine Yes-like fashion with ominous Mellotron, Hammond & synths, frenetic rhythms, and the soaring vocals of Albright. Vanderhoof adds in some tasty distorted guitar leads, which play well off the scorching Hammond and synth runs of Cokeley. This is a great example of hard rock mixed with intricate prog rock and catchy pop, something that very few bands were ever able to do well, one of them being Aviary back in the late 70’s.

For some great sing-along hard rock, check out the anthem “Seasons”, a tune with plenty of hooks and hard driving guitar riffs. “Find the Time” is another lengthy piece, this one a straight prog masterpiece, with acoustic guitars, Mellotron, Moog, electric piano, and Albright’s emotional & alluring vocals. You’ll be hard pressed not to keep hitting the replay button on this gem folks. More acoustic guitars mesh with driving Hammond, heavy electric guitar riffs, Mellotron, and drummer Jeff Wade’s pounding licks on the searing “Speed of Time”, a classy and majestic number that hints at vintage Styx as well as Aviary, while the melodic “Sunshine” once again showcases Albright’s soaring vocals over beds of Mellotron, Moog, nimble bass work, and acoustic guitars. The angular and riff-happy “Slave” comes the closest to prog-metal with its Yes-meets-Dream Theater complexity, and the CD ends with the emotional “Bringin’ It On”, again reminiscent of Aviary or Styx, with Vanderhoof’s lush acoustic guitars and plenty of Mellotron and synths.

Peace Among the Ruins will no doubt wind up on many Best of 2005 lists this year, but more importantly it will certainly head the Biggest Surprise of 2005, at least in my book. Who would have thought a riff-monster from Metal Church has this much 70’s prog stored up inside of him? Here’s hoping this is not just a one-off project, and that Vanderhoof and crew plan on making this a permanent thing. Highly recommended!

4.5/5

Reviewer: Keith Bergman , www.blabbermouth.net

Seventies-inspired melodic rock and roll is the order of the day on Presto Ballet's impressive debut album. Masterminded by Metal Church axeman Kurdt Vanderhoof, and featuring most of the lineup from the 1997 Vanderhoof album, Presto Ballet will go down a storm among fans of Styx, Kansas, Uriah Heep, early MSG and other keyboard-tinged, anthemic power rock of a bygone era.

Vocalist Scott Albright has a voice that's somewhere between Dennis DeYoung and James LaBrie, and he's apparently spent the eight years since Vanderhoof doing nothing but practicing — he was great then, but he sounds incredible here! Keyboardist Brian Cokeley deserves special mention as well — his warm analog tones (check out his solo turn on "The Fringes") wash the whole album in a classic, slightly progressive arena-rock vibe. Presto Ballet actually used vintage Hammond organs and other gear of the period, and even recorded to analog tape, and the results prove the wisdom of their methods — "Peace Among the Ruins" has a lush, organic, inviting sound, exotic in its strangeness in 2005 A.D. Add this to the fact that the songs are almost criminally catchy, and you've got a record that stands alone among the year's releases.

"Seasons" would have been a monster hit single, had it come out thirty years ago. More modern prog fans will likely latch onto the title track and "Slave" (the album's most guitar-heavy cuts), while "Speed of Time" just oozes with exuberant Yes/Uriah Heep hookiness. Hell, "Sunshine" even throws in a little Beatle-esque psychedelia, to excellent effect. This is quite a surprising record — full of virtuoso playing without any showoffy tendencies, rooted in rock's bell-bottomed past without sounding dated, and inspired by a well-worn and loved vinyl collection without stealing too blatantly from those inviting grooves.

So yeah, Presto Ballet ain't metal, and probably wouldn't warrant a writeup here if not for Vanderhoof's involvement. But you know what? It's still one of the finest albums to come out in 2005. Older heads, those just discovering the sounds of a previous generation, and prog-metallers unafraid of emotion and melody should find this album immediately. Presto Ballet was clearly a labor of love, and the band members' dedication and enthusiasm shines through every note of this instant classic.

9/10

Reviewer: Harley Carlson, www.metalreview.com

While a handful of the older metal enthusiasts have fond memories of an age where musical ideas were ground-breaking and uncovering talented pioneering bands wasn’t quite the tedious and exhausting task it is nowadays, younger fans tend to rely on the recommendations of their elder peers. Although some of the classic groups remain, many of them have altered their original format in an attempt to be more appealing to radio and television. Others have continued forward, only to find themselves bumped from the limelight of the masses by the pretentious heirs of record companies that are now slave to the mighty dollar.

Few acts (classic or otherwise) have effectively carried the 70’s prog rock torch into these modern times; As Pink Floyd was successful throughout the 80’s, they eventually lost steam and in many respects, Porcupine Tree picked up where their fellow Brits left off. Meanwhile, Rush are still a major player in the scene, but have shown random inconsistencies over the last few years. Dream Theater, Fates Warning, and an assortment of additional bands have kept the progressive flame burning, however, they have advanced the original template so much that it is hardly recognizable as such. So what to do when you are in desperate need of a true 70’s prog fix? Well, one obvious option would be to revisit all of your dusty old records – OR you can strap yourself in and prepare for another type of escape into the past, via Presto Ballet.

An immense supporter of the early works of Yes, Kansas, and Genesis (among others), Metal Church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof sought to create a project that reflected his predilection of that era and he has undoubtedly achieved said objective with Peace Among The Ruins, the band’s introductory opus on Inside Out Music. Capturing every aspect that encompasses the vintage prog genre, the album parades precision instrumentation, enigmatic lyrical passages, and an all around natural feel in both the writing and in the performance alike. Along with analogue synthesizers, Presto Ballet make frequent use of the Hammond organ as well as the polyphonic sounds of the mellotron keyboard. With very little contemporary influence finding its way into the fold, Peace Among The Ruins sits in the company of classic masterpieces like Fragile, Leftoverture, and Larks’ Tongues In Aspic – truly epic music.

Accompanying Kurdt is vocalist Scott Albright (who also appeared on some of Vanderhoof’s solo ventures). Having quite a remarkable voice, Albright’s tone ranges anywhere between Jon Anderson, Greg Lake, Geddy Lee, and occasionally (for a modern example) James LaBrie. Perceptive of a certain vocal style being essential to the scene, Vanderhoof was wise in selecting Albright to front his outfit. Rounding out the Presto Ballet line-up are names I am not familiar with, but for your own records they are Brian Cokeley (keyboards), Brian Lake (bass), and Jeff Wade (drums). There may be a possibility that you recognize them from other groups, but not I.

Obviously if you have made it this far into the review, you should have a fairly good concept of what to expect when you listen to Peace Among The Ruins; Classically faultless prog rock with no shortage of energy, emotion, and mystique – the type that rivals its predecessors. This is Top Ten material without question! The bottom line is that diehard fans of Metal Church may frown upon this undertaking UNLESS they were into early progressive music prior to discovering Metal Church or are presently into the lighter side of metal with a huge arena sound. Followers of any of the aforementioned, you already know you’re gonna love Peace Among The Ruins, so dig in.