RC2
Future Awaits ProgRock Records

by Franco Wissa
Staff Writer

Comments: It is a rare thing when a band so effectively utilizes both the guitar and keyboard. Almost as if not wanting the listener to have to choose one over the other, on this, Caracas, Venezuela natives RC2 (originally called Radio Clip) have so wonderfully allowed both the synthesizers and the guitar to have an equivalent playing time. When one is played the other provides a perfect backdrop to fill in the quieter moments. Surely a nod to the songwriter is due when hearing Future Awaits. Taking elements of South American culture, jazz and progressive and mixing it with hard rock guitar, this is as strong and well played of a release as any prog rock CD heard as of late.

Comparisons to Uriah Heep and Rush have been made, but a closer listen shows a sound much more similar to Saga, with the keyboards and guitars having a strong center to each track. This, along with the almost jazz flair that can be hard on many of Saga's works, pushes them from most of their progressive rock counterparts, (for comparison, after a listen to this take a listen to Saga's brilliant 1979's Images at Twilight or 1993's Security of Illusion.)

This soft underbelly of a touch of jazz can be heard on the CD highlight, "Future Awaits," but also of note is the wonderfully played organ with a lush guitar supplement of the instrumental "El Diablo Suelto," a delicious track that also seems to feature the flair and sounds of South America with heavy use of a wide variety of drums and percussion as well as steel, ukulele, acoustic and electric guitars. This same type of South America flair can be heard on the two part "Voice of the Storm."

The overall sound is clear, not as completely crisp as it should have been, still though this is a strong release, and not a bad track is to be heard. The musicianship is incredible, the songwriting solid. The voice of Felix Duque comes across in moments with an accent, and is hard to make out the words, but let it be said as well, he can sing, and he certainly does use his voice to its fullest potential. The band members play together well and each allow the other to come into the forefront when needed. Drummer Eduardo Benatar and bassist Pedro Misle are a solid backdrop to the overall sound.

Take a listen to RC2's Future Awaits, and see how it is that a band can so adeptly mix all the sounds that one would not normally hear in a prog rock release.

Band lineup:
Felix Duque - vocals
Eric Baule- guitars
Rafael Paz - keyboards
Pedro Misle - bass
Eduardo Benatar - drums

Track Listing:
Time Pieces
Future Awaits
11
Autumn
El Diablo Suelto
Coming Down Again
Voice of the Storm - part I
Voice of the Storm - part II

Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10