Tangent Proxy CD/Vinyl

The Tangent's 10th studio album, entitled "Proxy", is a riot of juxtopposing styles, presented in a really direct manner, and despite being firmly rooted in the stylistic traits of the Progressive Rock Genre takes some unexpected turnoffs and a major swerve.

Recorded during the band's tour with Karmakanic in 2017/18, there were more chances than normal to work together on the record (hotel writing sessions, van discussions, soundcheck ideas), all of which have allowed the band to make an album that is organic and as close to being that band as has happened to the group of far flung members since they began their career 15 years ago.

The albums kicks off with a trademark Tangent prog fantasia based around growling Hammonds, shrieking Synths, whirling guitars and sharp percussive bass - influences of ELP, Egg, Hatfields, Caravan and Camel proudly worn on the sleeves. This 16-minute piece "Proxy" eventually becomes a protest song about the continuing wars that share their name with the song. But there is more. The second track is a sun drenched Mediterranean fusion instrumental, more Chick Corea than Che Guevara.

And the third track is referred to by the band as an attempt to find the missing link between Porcupine Tree and Jamiroquai. By the time we reach the centrepiece epic "The Adulthood Lie" the rulebook of Haynes Manual Prog Construction has been left behind, and the band are trying to fix the car with whatever is at hand. After 15 years with a constant presence on the periphery of the scene, this album is the next step on the road from a band who have painstakingly revered and recreated the past, with one eye on the future.

"Our belief is that Progressive Rock music is still a valid and viable musical form in 2018 and will continue to be so. Our band has always sought to take on board things from the present and add them to that magical mix. We don't claim to be offering the FUTURE. We just claim to be offering one set of possibilities. Ours. Now."