| PATHIAN Threads |
In some ways UK multi-instrumentalist Pathian is the purest form of artist: one who practices his craft for the sheer joy of the music. Thanks to the miracle of mp3.com and other wonders of modern technology, he's able to produce his own music on his own terms, without worrying about band politics, market niche or that Great Recording Contract in the Sky. His latest CD, "Threads" blends Darkwave, Goth, Metal and Arena rock into a tuneful tapestry which should please fans of all these genres, and provides evidence that "uncompromising" and "accessible" need not be mutually exclusive. Other reviewers have compared Pathian's music to Fields of the Nephilim or Pink Floyd: when I hear his fondness for soaring chords and ringing clarion calls, I'm reminded of Pete Townsend. The "big bombastic" school of rock is incredibly difficult to do well. To be successfully loud requires the most delicate restraint. Pathian, like Townsend, always seems sincere in his passion and judicious in his excesses. The title track starts things off with a nice acoustic guitar intro that leads into an electric guitar jam. This was a standard rock formula before Stairway to Heaven, and all the more difficult to do well for that. Thankfully, Pathian avoids the common "My Guitar Is My Substitute Phallus and I Must Wave It Before You" syndrome which Freud would have written about had he lived long enough. His chops are clean and tasteful, and show real talent without descending into pyrotechnics for their own sake. Another standout track, "More than Pain," appears on the upcoming compilation CD "The Nature of Gothic: the Whitby Collection." This one really showcases Pathian's skills as a one-man band: I was particularly impressed by his bass playing here, but he's no slouch as a keyboard player or a drummer either! "Angel Down" has a breathtaking lead guitar solo, sweet and unsettling like Kirk Hammett's work on Metallica's "Fade to Black." "This is Absolution" has the drums rocking in double-time, while Pathian throws out some guitar notes that would leave Eddie Van Halen straining to keep up, and "Seraphim" shows he can handle rhythm guitar as skillfully as lead. The final track, "Giving Ground," seems to be ending things on a soft, melancholy note, with a wistful guitar that wouldn't be out of place on a "smooth jazz" station -- then the drums kick in, and Pathian overlays a fast lead guitar counterpoint over the keyboards. According to the FAQ on his site, at present Pathian is not interested in working with a band or in playing out live. I'm sorry to hear that. While I loved this collection of instrumental tracks, on several occasions I found myself wishing for vocals. A powerful vocalist with an operatic set of pipes could do for his music what Roger Daltrey did for the inimitable Mr. Townsend's. Still, you can't fault the man for stubbornly following his own vision and doing his own thing, particularly when he does it this well. In Sunset Boulevard Norma Desmond said, "I stayed big. It was the pictures that got small." The same could be said of modern rock music. Few are left who are willing to go for beefy power chords, guitar anthems and technical virtuosity. (Too many visions of middle-aged men with mullet haircuts, perhaps... ) Pathian is one of the last survivors of the era of Guitar Gods: let us hope that the stars are right for a resurrection. Threads c. 2001, Pathian Enterprises (available at mp3.com) Pathian's mp3.com site Artist's Homepage |