ProgRock Records has been releasing quite a number albums of new bands in 2005 and the latest is by a multi-instrumentalist/singer named Daniel J. His debut disc, Losing Time contains some of the heaviest music I’ve heard in a while and it was made by a 19 year old (he was 20 when the CD was completed). I don’t know about you but I always find that to be amazing when someone so young is so talented.
Daniel J plays guitars, drums, bass and keyboards as well as vocals on all or some of the 13 tracks on Losing Time The main influences you can hear are from Metallica, Dream Theater and Yes. He does wear those influences on his sleeve for the most part but I feel this album is primarily to showcase his talent.. In my honest opinion, most of the songs are very similar in style to the previously mentioned influences. That’s not a bad thing but there’s a ton of those types of bands already out there. I’m hoping on future releases that Daniel expands his musical pallette and maybe tone down in some areas so the music can do the talking.
On Losing Time there are some guests that help out Daniel such as Jordan Rudess (of Dream Theater) who plays keyboards on some songs and saxophonist Jaroslav Jakubovic, who is Daniel’s father, on one track.
I’d recommend this to fans of both the metal and prog-metal scenes. Although not too original, it is quite enjoyable. We should remember Daniel’s name because he will be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come. Losing Time is just the beginning....
Reviewed by Ron Fuchs on October 4th, 2005
