One of the many joys of working with and reviewing great musicians and artists worldwide has to be the awe and wonder that comes from that initial discovery or first listening to a new piece of music. The adrenaline that pumps through your blood as the track plays and the music strikes like an arrow hitting a bullseye, capturing the energy and tone we, as listeners, look for in our music choices. That feeling drew me to the EP “Stage One” by Life Stage.
Right out of high school, the progressive rock group first released this EP in 2009. The album perfectly reflects the exhilaration and thrill of a band discovering its place in the music scene. The ease with which each track transitions from heavy guitar riffs and heart-pounding drums to more cinematic, thoughtful tones of reflection made this a remarkable and heartfelt album. Each track captured the spirit of “epic” musicianship with introspective songwriting.
The adrenaline-fueled guitar riffs and larger-than-life metal influences brought to mind bands like Metalica. In contrast, the softer, more progressive sounds and songwriting brought to mind bands like Pink Floyd, Coheed and Cambria mixed in a perfect fusion that is impossible to ignore. The album certainly keeps listeners on the edge of their seats, as the album challenges them to find the intricate details in each song while also keeping the pace of head-banging action that these songs elicit.
While youthful in spirit, the album also captures a sense of maturity in its theme, which revolves around identity and showcases a sound and tone that screams originality. The tracks are each lengthy and keep the audience invested. One minute brings an almost late 1970s to early 1980s California rock vibe, and then the song transitions into a late 1980s and early 1990s heavy rock sound that is both entertaining and captive. If you want a new sound and a beautiful yet face-melting fusion of rock genres, you won’t miss Life Stage’s “Stage One” EP. Stream on your preferred platform today!
