Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius - Guilty of Innocence

Art rock is really a genre that we don’t do here often. However, we give it a try every now and then because we know that many metalheads do love it as Prog Metal is a very popular subgenre into Metal music. In fact, I have to admit I’m no expert in Art Rock, but, of course, as it’s my duty here, I have to say a few words about it.

One of the many facets of art rock is to be a kind the experimental face of rock. Most art rock bands were pioneers in introducing new elements into rock and to deal with experimental stuff become a staple of the genre. Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius in “Guilty of Innocence” deal with lots of experimental textures. I mean, in fact, what we call experimental today doesn’t mean the same for the 1970’s. Or, maybe, I’m using the wrong term – that may be right as well. The real deal is that “Guilty of Innocence” has many different moments. All ten tracks differ a lot from each other. Though, there is one feature that links them together and that is the pop grip. The same pop grip that many art rock bands exercised in the 1980s to survive. I’m talking about bands as Yes, Genesis, Jean-Michel Jarre and Marillion, this last one was a kind of consensus among Metal fans. Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius add also some touches of Kansas and some funk stuff. Not only that, but “Game of Chicken” has a delicious taste of 1980’s Eric Clapton when he dived into other rhythms waters as country and funk. Listen to the violin played all along it which is sometimes confused with the guitar. The same violin that introduces following song “Dream Diary Cadenza” and melts it in an amazing duel with guitar.

The impression that we get from hearing Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius is that they worked very hard to create an album that could be part of any art rock from the 1980s. For the better, and for the worst. If I were to pick only one song – hey, I’m here to do it – I’d pick the last -, but not the least – track “Soul Food” the one that has the biggest art rock grip and the longest. And with a delicious name.

So, if you are into some extravaganza to your Metal ears, here’s Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius and “Guilty of Innocence.”

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius “Guilty of Innocence” was released on September 29th via Melodic Revolution Records.

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