Alpha Flood is one of my most anticipated releases of 2013 – just a few short months away. Last year (which was only a couple of weeks ago), we started with introductions to Dec Burke (guitars/vocals) and Kris Gildenlow (bass). Continuing on with this 5-part overview to all the members, let’s complete the rhythm section with Dutch drummer Collin Leijenaar.
Having already made a name for himself in prog-rock circles by handling the drums for Neal Morse in a live setting (subbing for Mike Portnoy) while also acting as the band’s tour manager, Leijenaar was the first on board with Alpha Flood. In 2012, he, along with German guitar player Daniel Fries, founded the progressive rock/metal band Affector. I’ve never heard anything by Dilemma, but will have to check them out now, because when I first heard Affector I was instantly wow’d by everything about it. Leijenaar’s drumming is spectacular. The complexity in this album is nothing short of breath-taking, and what Leijenaar pulls together on the skins is equally impressive – just let your ears take in all of his brilliance. All I can say is that his drumming is tighter than a battlefield tourniquet. Just trying to air-drum what he pulls off is a difficult proposition.
Filling out Affector is Mike LePond (Symphony X) and Ted Leonard (Spock’s Beard, Enchant), providing a very solid lineup for a side project. But wait! There’s more…. guest keyboard solo’s from Derek Sherinian, Neal Morse and Jordan Rudess. Harmagedon is a concept album and fuses dark apocalyptic scenery with themes of hope and light and features heavy riffs and fast solos. I give you the title track… 13 minutes of sonic bliss.
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