Detailed Reviews [KDB3 - 2021 - "When It All Comes to Pass"]

Prolusion. US project KDB3 is the creative vehicle of composer and musician Doug BOWERS, who has been releasing music under that moniker since 2009, with a total of 4 studio albums and a string of singles and EPs issued so far. "When It All Comes to Pass" is the most recent of the full length albums, and was released at the start of 2021 through the label Three In One Records.

Analysis. While the stated inspiration for the lyrical content of this production is a modern one, this being one of a plethora of productions dealing with subjects related to the Covid pandemic one way or another, the actual music here is one that orients itself quite a bit back in time. Most likely towards the first half of the 1970's. Hence this will be an album of interest to a more retro-oriented crowd I presume, and in this case fans of symphonic progressive rock in particular. This whole album is something of a classic symphonic progressive rock experience on all fronts. The entire album consists of two songs for starters, and both of them consist of several different parts or sections. Recurring elements and repeated sections and elements are liberally scattered throughout the album, and theme development is another constant factor. The arrangements are rather varied, with majestic layered keyboard arrangements, often with a cosmic tinge to them, being the main recurring element. Otherwise the songs and the sections in them range from solemn or fragile piano and vocal passages through elegant keyboard and organ dominated sections to majestic guitar and keyboard combinations to hard, aggressive borderline metal tinged guitar driven parts. A detail of note is that both keyboards, the organ and the guitar partakes in instrument solo runs, alternating and intertwined as well as combined. Everything gels together very well too, and there are some breathtaking moments of musical magic to experience for the right listener here. The main negative for me as a total album experience is that the cover art is very much substandard in quality when compared with the music. One might mention that Bowers isn't an extraordinary vocalist too, but that is only a negative when regarded in the context of and in comparison with the music and not a negative detail in and of itself. He holds a tone and a melody just fine, and manages to use his voice within it's limits and to the best of the requirements of the compositions.

Conclusion. "When It All Comes to Pass" is a striking and well made example of 1970's symphonic progressive rock, with majestic organ and keyboard arrangements, elegant and flowing keyboard and guitar driven parts and careful piano and keyboard sections all assembled into creations that should please the ears of most people with a taste for symphonic progressive rock of the kind made in yesteryear. If you like this specific type of progressive rock, kDB3 is a band and "When It All Comes to Pass" is an album that you should add to your list of music to check out.

Progmessor: June 2021
The Rating Room