Cryptic Vision Discography (2003-2012)

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Cryptic Vision Discography (2003-2012)

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CRYPTIC VISION is a progressive rock band from Sarasota Florida. The band was formed in 2003 by multi-instrumentalist/producer Rick Duncan and vocalist Todd Plant. Rick had produced several albums for local and national artists and Todd had fronted the bands EYEWITNESS and MILLENNIUM as well as working with former DOOBIE BROTHERS and CHICAGO Members. CV's first album started primarily as a recording project with Todd, Rick and keyboardist Robert Van Dyne. It featured several guest musicians such as KANSAS violinist David Ragsdale, guitarist Ralph Santola (ICED EARTH, SEBASTIAN BACH, DEICIDE) and keyboardist Howard Helm (IAN HUNTER, ZON, REFUGE). In 2004 the band signed with Progrock Records and released it's first album "Moments of Clarity". In 2005 CV became a live act adding bass player/vocalist Sam Conable, guitarist/vocalist Tim Keese and keyboardist John Zahner. They started the year opening for KANSAS and in May they performed at the Rites of Spring festival in Phoenixville PA. The performance was recorded and became their second release "Live at ROSFest 2005". In 2006 CRYPTIC VISION returned to the studio and started work on their third album "In A World". Due to schedule conflicts John Zahner who was also recording and touring with Jon Oliva's PAIN was not available. Howard Helm was brought in to track keyboards and stayed on as a permanent member. The album was recorded more as a band project but also featured special guests David Ragsdale, Ralph Santola and SPOCK'S BEARD guitarist Al Morse. In June of 2006 CRYPTIC VISION released "In A World". They debuted the new live show at Calprog 2006. They also did opening shows for TOTO, KAMELOT and THE FLOWER KINGS. In 2007 CRYPTIC VISION helped ASIA kick of their 25th anniversary tour by opening their first show in Sarasota's Van Wezel Performing Arts Center. CRYPTIC VISION is currently finishing up tracking for their fourth album "Of Infinite Possibilities" which is slated for release in 2010.

~ progarchives

CRYPTIC VISION является прогрессивной рок-группа из города Сарасота, штат Флорида, США.
Группа была образована мульти-инструменталистом и продюсером Риком Дунканом и вокалистом Тоддом Плантом в 2003 году. Рик спродюссировал несколько альбомов для местных и национальных исполнителей, а Тодд участвовал в таких группах как EYEWITNESS и MILLENNIUM, а также работал с DOOBIE BROTHERS.

Первый альбом CRYPTIC VISION начался в первую очередь с записи Тодда, Рика и клавишника Роберта Ван Дина, в последствии была приглашены такие музыканты как скрипач Давид Рэгсдейл (Kansas), гитарист Ральф Сантола (ICED EARTH, SEBASTIAN BACH, DEICIDE) и клавишник Говард Хелм (IAN HUNTER, ZON, REFUGE). В 2004 году группа подписала контракт с Progrock Records и выпустила свой первый альбом «Moments of Clarity». В 2005 группа выпустила концерт с участием басиста/вокалиста Сэма Конебла, гитариста/вокалиста Тима Киза и клавишника Джона Занера. Они начали годовое турне на разогреве у Kansas, а в мае выступили на фестивале в Ноксвилле.

В 2006 году группа вернулась в студию и начала работать над своим новым альбомом «In A World». В этот раз Джон Занер не смог участвовать, а Говард Хелм стал постоянным участником группы. Новый альбом вновь включал в себя работу приглашенных гостей Давида Рэгсдейла, Ральфа Сантолу, а также гитариста Spock’s Beard Алана Морса. Выпустив альбом CRYPTIC VISION дебютировала на новом живом шоу Calprog 2006. Так же группа открывала шоу для TOTO, KAMELOT и THE FLOWER KINGS. В 2007 CRYPTIC VISION помогла ASIA в создании концерта в честь своего 25-летия.

~ lastfm

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Cryptic Vision Discography (2003-2012)

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After years of being a fan of prog Rick Duncan decided to take the plunge and write and record a prog album. Joining forces with vocalist Todd Plant Rick came up with 11 tracks coming in just under an hour.

WARNING: For those who hate the vocals of Journey, Styx and Kansas or anything else you consider AOR to the point that it ruins the music for you stop reading now and go on to other groups. You won't like this!

For those of you more open to such things then this is a good album. Outside of a few keyboard parts Robert Van Dyne plays and a couple of great violin solos from David Ragsdale (Kansas) all the other instruments are handled by Duncan while Plant does all the vocals. The album lacks some feeling of being finished and I would think that comes form the fact Rick, while competent is not a master of everything he plays.

The album is a concept album of a man who has tsuffers the tradgedy of his wife dying that brings him to question what he believes and it is his search within and without that constitutes the story. The music is passionate and emotional to match this story. Rick Duncan is influenced by Kansas, Spock's Beard (although I would guess it is Kerry Livgren and Neal Morse more specifically) as well as Dream Theater and Yes. These are influences are apparent with out being derivative. Still there is plenty to like in songs like Introspective, The Grand Design, Shock Value, Moments of Clarity and Ascension. The songs are well crafted even the more simpler tracks like Angeline and Colored Leaf. I look forward to future works from this group.

by Garion81, progarchives

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Cryptic Vision Discography (2003-2012)

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I really like this band and it's potential to be a really good prog band. The studio Album Moments of Clarity is a great initial CD for this band from Florida. This is a good follow up to the first CD. If you know anything about me you would know I love live music especially live prog music. This CD shows that CV has some heart and soul to their music as well as well written songs and prog epics.

This is certainly not AOR. They are definitely drawing from their influences especially Yes and Kansas. The trick is can you make those influences into something that is unique to you. I think they do that pretty well. As with most American prog there is a definite signature of rock underlying the music that plays out harder live. The vocal harmonies are good and that says something in this day and age of lousy prog vocalists. Decent virtiousity in the bass, keys, drums guitars. The recording here is pretty good although some squelching in the upper range on a couple of songs.

I am looking forward to hearing their next release due out spring of 2006. They also will be at Calprog 2006. They will blow Kino off the stage. :-)

All of the selections here are taken from MoC except for a 16 minute plus tribute to prog masters Spocks beard, Yes, Kansas, Dream Theater and ELP and a new piece called In a World. For these two songs I will give it a 4. For In a WOrld I see this bands future and it looks bright.

by Garion81

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It seems that whenever a band has a vocalist that has a lot of "soul" or "sings from the gut" they are quickly given the AOR tag. I´m not saying that there isn´t an AOR sound at times, but to dismiss a band because they have strong melodies and a vocalist that puts the "rock" into progressive rock is wrong.

If you like the vocalists of Kansas and Enchant, you will really like Todd Plant´s voice. The guitarist is also impressive on this album and delivers some stunning solos throughout this album. Actually the entire band are class A musicians and you can hear each instrument clearly (the bass isn´t lost in the mix but is clear and intricate)

The lyrics are another strong point in Cryptic Vision´s songwriting, although they are spiritual lyrics they are never "Bible punching, in your face" preaching. Listening to this album and I can hear the strong Kansas and ´70´s Prog influence. To really appreciate this album I suggest listening to it through a pair of good headphones.

Strong songwriting, strong melodies, excellent lyrics and excellent musicians!

Excellent!

by WaywardSon

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There are some bands that seem to fly under the radar, even in the progressive underground, and I have always been mystified as to why Cryptic Vision aren't far more well known. It certainly isn't down to lack of musical ability, songs, hooks and prog timings as these guys have all of the chops. They may not be the most prolific when it comes to releases but the same can be said of most of the bands in the genre. However, after a five year gap they are back with the conclusion to the trilogy 'Moments Of Clarity In A World Of Infinite Possibilities'. The five guys behind Cryptic Vision are main songwriter, drummer, guitarist and keyboard player Rick Duncan, vocalist Todd Plant (Eyewitness, Millenium), keyboard player Howard Helm (Zon, Refugee), bassist Sam Conable and guitarist Tim Kesse but they have also brought in some guests in the form of David Ragsdale (Kansas), Gary Schutt, John Zahner, Shawn Bowen, John Leblanc, Mike Carello and Carrie Preston.

The note density and complexity is off the scale, while intricacy and harmony vocals are also the order of the day. It is almost as if Spock's Beard and Gentle Giant have combined forces with Kansas and Presto Ballet to produce something very special indeed. This is prog that is very much for today but also looks back with loads of references to great bands of the past that have somehow been melded together into something that is just incredible. It is immediate, with a very American feel, yet it also has incredible depth and the more that it is played the more the listener will get from it. I remember that before I left the UK I played one of their albums virtually non stop in the car, and even back then I couldn't believe that this wasn't a name familiar to all progheads. If you enjoy prog, and you must do otherwise you wouldn't be reading this, then you owe it to your ears to investigate further. Visit www.therecordlabel.net and listen to some samples

by kev rowland

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Cryptic Vision Discography (2003-2012)

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