Posts Tagged ‘Southern Empire’

Southern Empire Embarks on a Conquest of Progressive Rock from Down Under

Posted: October 7, 2016 in progressive rock music
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My latest discovery is the newly formed Australian band, Southern Empire.  As grandiose as their name suggests their musicianship is equal to the moniker they’ve chosen.  southern_empire_band1

Formed by Sean Timms, keyboardist from one of  Australia’s top progressive rock bands Unitopia, their music has elements of metal, jazz, fusion and of course prog.  Lead vocals are handled by Danny Lopresto while the other members of the band all provide additional voices.  The vocal harmonies of this band are on aural display on the track “Forest Fire.”  Midway through this song I hear vocals reminiscent of  Electric Light Orchestra and even The The Beatles!   How’s that for a comparison?

Since I’m doing the unforgivable and offering comparisons to this band, why not go all the way.  On first listen I would compare their overall sound to Dream Theater and Flying Colors.  With that said I think the phenomenal  musical interplay between Timms on keyboards and lead guitarist Cam Blokland on this track is equal to that of Steve Morse & Neil Morse (no relation) of Flying Colors and John Petrucci & Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater.  Now fans of those two bands may find my suggestions blasphemous but give Southern Empire a listen and you decide.  Blokland has been hailed as one of Australia’s best guitarists and “Forest Fire” confirms it.

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You have to listen to the bass heavy intro to the instrumental virtuosity that this track showcases.  Then the fusion-like interplay between  keyboards and guitar. Here’s where their sound departs from other neo-progressive rock bands of the day.  The improvisation, speed and overall tight musicianship of this band rises to the top.  So with elements from several different genres combining into one unique band, Southern Empire embarks on a conquest of the world music scene. “Forest Fire“is from their self titled debut album.  I can only hope this powerful collaboration of talented musicians from Down Under ascends to a place where it commands your musical appreciation like it has for me.

Here’s a video that features the band’s performance of “Forest Fire.”