Agora Forte - "Monuments" Review

Artist/ Band: Agora Forte
Title: Monuments
Label: Self release
Year of Release: 2011
Offical Artist/ Band Link

The Review:

Agora Forte is a modern progressive rock/metal band from Minneapolis, MN., who have released their debut album, Monuments, in May 2011. Their influences are Pink Floyd, Rush, King Crimson to name a few. Throughout the album, I can hear those influences, sometimes within a single song. The band consists of Aaron Cole (Drums, Percussion, Backing vocals), Jesse Lang (Guitars, Keyboard, backing vocals), Tim Hobscheid (Guitars), Seth Levine (Bass, backing vocals) and Joe Marx (Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards).

From the opening track, “Ghost Town” to the closing track “The Last Goodbye”, you are in for a rollercoaster ride Of those two, prefer the instrumentation of the latter, simply because there‘s more contrast between the heavy and melodic parts. Another song that follows that, is the epic, “The Ten Year Rest of Daniel Blaine” with the emphasis on a heavier sound. Another in the heavier vein is the straight forward rocker “Don’t Blow Your Circuits, Joe”. These four tracks are my personal favorites and in my opinion shows the best representation of their “signature sound“.

After listening to Monuments many times I hear in some parts a similarity between the vocals of Joe and Dave Ghrol. To me it’s a welcomed comparison because so many prog based bands feel the need to sound like James LaBrie, Peter Gabriel, The Andersons (Ian & Jon) etc.

In closing if you like heavier progressive rock that borders on the metal genre or any of the aforementioned bands & artists, then Agora Forte’s Monuments is a must have album. It does take several listens to fully appreciate the music within the album. Believe me, your ears will be rewarded for your patience during the almost 60 minute duration of the album. Basically, I can’t recommend this enough.

Reviewed by Ron Fuchs on March 15th, 2012

Tracks:

01. Ghost Town

02. Another Animal

03. The Ten Year Rest Of Daniel Blaine

04. Don't Blow Your Circuits, Joe

05. Pain

06. Walk Around The World

07. Reflections

08. The Last Goodbye