New York-based power trio Alpha Venturi introduces their self-titled debut album.
Formed in 2020, Alpha Venturi is the brainchild of Sean Quinn Hanley (guitar), and Tyler Stackhouse (drums). Along with touring bassist Edward Rojas, Alpha Venturi’s sound blends hard rock, metal, funk, dance, prog, and thrash, with lyrics witnessing the darkest and lightest portions of the world and the human mind.
Encompassing 10-tracks, highlights on Alpha Venturi include “Sign Of Life,” opening on low-slung gleaming guitars, followed by the entry of Tyler’s finessed drumming. A dazzling guitar fills the tune with blistering licks.
“Lyin” features muscular guitars, a potent rhythm, and snarling vocals. Vaguely reminiscent of Van Halen crossed with Billy Squier and laced with hints of Motley Crue, this song punches out heavy rock textures riding Tyler’s Jovian percussion.
“The Shift” conjures up suggestions of early ZZ Top and Buck Cherry, rolling out on brawny, dirty guitars topped by rasping, searing vocals. Aching, moaning guitars underscore a nasty guitar solo, rife with sizzling colors.
“Broken Line” merges doom metal guitars with a frenetic thrash metal rhythm, recalling Van Halen on performance-enhancing drugs. For some reason, Tyler’s ferociously intense drumming brings to mind Billy Cobham gone wild. Tyler can play the drums!
A personal favorite, the beautiful guitar intro to “Ode To Opal” flows into an exquisite display of technical prowess, glittering and tender, tinted by tangs of Spanish flavors.
The final track, “Radiate,” travels on grainy guitars, simultaneously gentle and muscular. Once the rhythm enters, the tune takes on potent washes of lysergic textures, recalling The Police, but more melodic and fuller, surging with beaucoup reckless dynamism. Passionate vocals infuse the lyrics with delicious momentum and intoxicating timbres.
Without a doubt, “Radiate” is the best track on the album. There’s a bewitching, singularly imaginative flow to the harmonic elements.
At once visceral and sophisticated, Alpha Venturi is an excellent album by a gifted group of virtuoso musicians.
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