Search - Gregg/Interzone Bendian :: Myriad

Mahavishnu+king crimson+vibes= interzone

Rotten Egg | Chicagoland | 09/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...simply unbelievable!!! Gregg Bendian is undoubtedly one of the most whacked out composers of our time...classic fusion feel mixed with the evil sounds of king crimson, but done with instruments you almost never hear (glockenspiel, vibes, etc.)...the guitar playing is excellant, very remeniscent of John McLaughlin...anyone who is open minded, and loves crazy, technical, tripped out music needs to add this to their collection!!!"

A brain-bending post-fusion onslaught

Aaron Burgess | Round Rock, TX, USA | 07/27/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Percussionist Gregg Bendian has played in a variety of group settings, but it's with his multifaceted Interzone project that he's really shined as a bandleader and composer. A virtual powerhouse of the indie-jazz avant-garde, Interzone features Bendian, twin brothers Alex and Nels Cline (on drums and guitar, respectively), and bassist Steuart Liebig performing Bendian's compositions. Despite the band members' formidable jazz roots, however, "Myriad" never fixates on one genre. The songs breathe, swing ("Intrepid"), and even touch upon the '70s fusion of Mahavishnu Orchestra (in an arrangement of that group's "Sanctuary"). But Bendian & Co. also create haunting soundscapes ("Interzonia"), complex avant-rock pieces ("Pattern Master," "Drive") and noir-like tunes for imaginary soundtracks ("Diaspora"). "Myriad"'s songs are at once incredibly spacious and tightly composed: Just as the notes and the beats themselves do, the spaces in-between drift, float and linger. Drama and tension sometimes come through Cline's wild guitar runs (see his shimmering solo in "Tactics"), but the overall effect is one of slow, infinitesimal and eerily beautiful movement."