Short Reviews [Temple of Switches - 2015 - "Temple of Switches"]

Formed in 2012, this American progressive rock band say their music does not fit within any particular category, and that this is quite deliberate, although they bring in jazz and classical sounds so perhaps it is not surprising they have been included on ProgArchives as crossover, although in fairness this is more about the fact they are blending multiple genres as opposed to following the crossover style per se. Based on their 2015 debut, I am somewhat surprised they were not grabbed by Neo, while there is also a case for Heavy to have taken them, but perhaps this is indeed the correct genre as there is just so much going on. Back then, they were a quartet, with Mike Monda (guitar), Joe Monda (bass), Kevin McConnell (keyboards, vocals) and Jay Heffner (drums) and what strikes one immediately is just how much every musician is putting into the mix. It really does not matter who one concentrates on, there is a great deal happening, yet it never sounds over the top but rather that everyone is providing complexity and complicated threads but somehow, they come together and do not overpower the listener. This is one of those albums which is immediate, and there is a very high rock element, yet the more it is listened to the more there is to get out of it. Everyone is adding wonderful touches and elements which make it stand out, as it took me a long time to think who they reminded me of, but “The Positive Side, Part 2” is strongly reminiscent of Salem Hill in their ‘The Robbery of Murder’ days, which may well be why I enjoy this so much as surely that is one of the finest American prog albums of all time. There is very much an American feel to this release, which is probably why it would not have been taken by Neo, and they often fall into melodic hard rock, while vocally Kevin is superb, and we even get some lovely rising screams at times. This is a great debut and am somewhat surprised it appears to have been missed by many (including me until now to be fair) and is certainly worthy of investigation who enjoy their prog to mix it up and come at it from a melodic hard rock area.