UNIFIED PAST
''BREAKING UP THE ATMOSPHERE''
DECEMBER 3 2009
40:32
1. Bed of Faith/5:21
2. Looking At The Inside/2:46
3. Sudden Death/4:50
4. What To Say/4:50
5. Take Me All The Way/3:20
6. Damaged Goods/7:12
7. Memory Attacks/7:07
8. Two Years Later/5:06
STEPHEN SPEELMAN/GUITAR
VICTOR TASSONE/DRUMS
DAVE MICKELSON/BASS GUITAR
REVIEW
By NYGTR
This was Unified Past's first CD - but not really!? "Breaking Up The Atmosphere" was released in late 1991 and promoted by the band throughout 1992 when they were known as Long Island's "Labyrinth". The band was young, unpolished, and finding their sound and this cd gripped their audience with it's power and energy. There is that certain something that this disc has. The band is tight, very tight, and the comparisons to Rush were unavoidable. Drummer Victor Tassone and bassist Mike Donohue are a tremendous rhythm section. Yet, their personal musicianship skills as well as songwriting skills were still developing. The true love of what they were doing comes across clearly and gives the recording that "intangible" element. The opening song, "Bed Of Faith", shows the bands' progressive side and was always my personal favorite. Mixing a smooth 12 string guitar riff in the style of Styx with a Chorus that alternates a 4/4 and 5/4 rhythm and the use of great three part harmony, the band gives you all of the elements that you will hear throughout the CD. "Looking at the Inside" and "Sudden Death" were regular plays on WRCN's "Locals Only" program and were also feature on WBAB's Homegrown. The cd clearly shows the progressive sound that the band would develop but also has a two straight ahead rockers, "Take Me All The Way" & "Two Years Later" and also delivers a great ballad, "What To Say", which features a tasty guitar lead at the end delivered by Stephen Speelman. In 1998 the band would give up their Labyrinth name after learning of another band with the same name and they became Unified Past. Now that Unified Past has just released "Tense" in 2009 they have decided to re-release their first two recordings under their new name. Since these discs have been unavailable for fifteen years, I for one am glad they have become available again. It brings back memories.
''BREAKING UP THE ATMOSPHERE''
DECEMBER 3 2009
40:32
1. Bed of Faith/5:21
2. Looking At The Inside/2:46
3. Sudden Death/4:50
4. What To Say/4:50
5. Take Me All The Way/3:20
6. Damaged Goods/7:12
7. Memory Attacks/7:07
8. Two Years Later/5:06
STEPHEN SPEELMAN/GUITAR
VICTOR TASSONE/DRUMS
DAVE MICKELSON/BASS GUITAR
REVIEW
By NYGTR
This was Unified Past's first CD - but not really!? "Breaking Up The Atmosphere" was released in late 1991 and promoted by the band throughout 1992 when they were known as Long Island's "Labyrinth". The band was young, unpolished, and finding their sound and this cd gripped their audience with it's power and energy. There is that certain something that this disc has. The band is tight, very tight, and the comparisons to Rush were unavoidable. Drummer Victor Tassone and bassist Mike Donohue are a tremendous rhythm section. Yet, their personal musicianship skills as well as songwriting skills were still developing. The true love of what they were doing comes across clearly and gives the recording that "intangible" element. The opening song, "Bed Of Faith", shows the bands' progressive side and was always my personal favorite. Mixing a smooth 12 string guitar riff in the style of Styx with a Chorus that alternates a 4/4 and 5/4 rhythm and the use of great three part harmony, the band gives you all of the elements that you will hear throughout the CD. "Looking at the Inside" and "Sudden Death" were regular plays on WRCN's "Locals Only" program and were also feature on WBAB's Homegrown. The cd clearly shows the progressive sound that the band would develop but also has a two straight ahead rockers, "Take Me All The Way" & "Two Years Later" and also delivers a great ballad, "What To Say", which features a tasty guitar lead at the end delivered by Stephen Speelman. In 1998 the band would give up their Labyrinth name after learning of another band with the same name and they became Unified Past. Now that Unified Past has just released "Tense" in 2009 they have decided to re-release their first two recordings under their new name. Since these discs have been unavailable for fifteen years, I for one am glad they have become available again. It brings back memories.
