Alex Anthony Faide
Particles of the Infinite
This is an unusual release. It's an instrumental disc with the music often in the heavy range, but sometimes working to mellower territory. Comparisons to King Crimson are not only appropriate, they are mandatory. You see, all these tracks were composed by working with small sections of KC tracks and expanding upon them and following various paths suggested by them to their obvious conclusions. Alex Anthony Faide plays all the guitar and bass parts. He's joined by three drummers, though, including KC's Pat Mastelotto on the second track here. This is unique, stunning and richly interesting music. The disc is likely to make my list of best albums of 2022 by the time the year is over.
This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2022 Volume 2. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2022.
Pt. I
Starting ambient, this quickly works into some melodic, but dark and twisted sound. That gives way to fierce and heavy Crimson jamming. We are taken through a number of changes. This becomes a screaming hot, driving piece of music as it continues to evolve.
Pt. II
As this gets underway it's not as intense as the way the last tune ended. It's Crimsonian, but there are almost hints of Americana in it. It grows outward into familiar Crimson themes as it continues.
Pt. III
This piece is much brighter. It has some great melodies and feels very positive an uplifting. It is not only a great change, but a particularly effective number, too.
Pt. IV
A cut with more of that upbeat feeling to it as it gets underway, this thing gets into some dark and heavy territory before it's over. It's a real screamer that rocks like crazy. It works through some pretty twisting and turning changes along the road. This is Crimsonian music at its finest.
Pt. V
Fast and furious, this is intricate, complex and so rocking that it's crazy. It's mean, gritty and on fire. This is metallic and yet full prog.
Pt. VI
Atmospheric, mellow tones bring this into being. This feels like a Fripp soundscape. It is also beautiful. This really has some soaring, positive passages.
Pt. VII
Furious, heavy and screaming hot, this a real powerhouse tune. It's Crimsonian, but also very technical metal in approach and feel.
Pt. VIII
Another classy number, this isn't as intense as the last piece, but it's not as sedate as some of the others as it gets going. It turns to some full on metal jamming later, though.
Pt. IX
I dig the melodic, chimey kind of quality of this intricate and powerful piece of music. It's really a beautiful number that seems to have some hints of world music built into it. This has some particularly dramatic and powerful moments and moods.
Alex Anthony Faide Artist Page
Pat Mastelotto Artist Page