Artist: Advent Album: Cantus Firmus (2006) Label: Private Release Website: http://www.adventmusic.net Reviewer: Bill Knispel

Tracklisting: 1. GK Contramundum 2:00 2. Awaiting the Call... 5:10 3. Parenting Parents 6:45 4. Utter Once Her Name 5:30 5. Remembering When 4:00 6. Ramblin' Sailor 18:14 7. Your Healing Hand 8:18 8. Firmus Finale 4:40 Bonus Tracks (previously unreleased 24-track recordings) 9. Rear View Mirror 3:34 10. Alison Waits (A Ghost Story) 10:40 Merging Yes-style symphonic sensibilities with Gentle Giant inspired counterpoint and baroque arrangements, New Jersey’s Advent shines on their sophomore release, Cantus Firmus. Formed in 1989, the band has one previous album (their self titled debut release) to their credit, as well as a number of tracks on tribute albums to Procol Harum and Gentle Giant. These somewhat divergent styles are evident in their original material, which focuses on tight musicianship and lush, layered vocals. The band showcases their vocal capabilities on the opening track to Cantus Firmus, “GK Contramundum,” an a capella madrigal with interleaving vocal lines that play against each other, building to a climax which slides into the opening instrumental, ‘Awaiting The Call...” The highlight for many listeners is the 18+ minute epic “Ramblin’ Sailor,” which features Shunji Saegusa from Japanese legends Kenso on bass guitar. A jaunty, upbeat piece with synth flute, bright production, and wistful vocals, this is the antithesis of ponderous pieces like ELP’s “Pirates,” and is worthy of the same kind of status. The album proper concludes with a flourish, fanfares introducing “Firmus Finale,” which evokes many of the songs that precede it on the album. The band has added 2 bonus tracks to this release. “Alison Waits (A Ghost Story)” and “Rear View Mirror were both recorded to 24 track in 1992. Neither have been released before this album, as time did not allow them to be properly mixed and finished. Listeners familiar with the first of these bonus tracks (previously released in 4-track from on the Procol Harum tribute album The Best of the Whalers) will find this version to be a more enjoyable listen. Cantus Firmus shows Advent to be a band to be reckoned with. Recommended to a wide range of progressive music fans, but specifically for fans of melodic and symphonic styles.