Upstate New York’s acclaimed progressive rock band Unified Past, returns with its most compelling album to date, Shifting The Equilibrium, set for release September 15th on Melodic Revolution Records. The band features bassist Dave Mickelson, guitarist Stephen Speelman, vocalist Phil Naro and drummer Victor Tassone. Unified Past is preparing for its first run of live shows in 2016. (PRNewsFoto/Melodic Revolution Records)
Upstate New York’s acclaimed progressive rock band Unified Past, return with its most compelling album to date, Shifting The Equilibrium, set for release September 15(th) on Melodic Revolution Records. Combining the best elements of the British progressive-rock style, with a distinct heavy-metal edge Shifting The Equilibrium, delivers strong musicianship; killer vocals; and memorable melodies, all presented within a sonic landscape that cuts through to the heart of the listener.
“We believe Prog music is becoming more popular in the U.S with each passing year and we think the U.S fan base is ready for our version of power prog,” says guitarist and co-founder Stephen Speelman. Adds drummer and co-founder Victor Tassone: “I like to place Unified Past into it’s own pocket. We try to achieve that with a balance of expressiveness and drama in every beat.”
From the anthemic “Today Is The Day,” a 12 minute prog opus to “Smile In The Face Of Adversity,” which the band calls “a symphonic metal / rock opera type song”, and finally to “Peace Remains In the World,” certainly the heaviest metal-flavored song the band has yet done, Shifting The Equilibrium, will satisfy fans of their first six albums and attract a new legion of believers.
In addition to the new album, Unified Past are introducing a new member, frontman and vocalist Phil Naro. Naro brings with himself, a strong rock’n’roll pedigree, having performed and/or recorded with the likes of Brian May, Julian Lennon, Peter Criss, Lou Gramm, Gene Cornish, Carmine Appice and Rudy Sarzo, among others.
In addition to Naro, the band has been working with Cleveland-based keyboardist Jason Hanley.
The origins of Unified Past date back to 1991 when Speelman and Tassone formed Long Island’s Labyrinth. Eventually Labyrinth signed with Atomik Records before splitting up in 2001. The two musicians reunited in 2009 to form Unified Past mainly as a duo-studio only project. They signed with Melodic Revolution Records and released 5 albums. In 2012, Speelman was recruited to work with Anthrax vocalist Joey Belladonna and it was while doing shows with Belladonna that Speelman met bassist Dave Mickelson. 2013’s Spots album broadened the band’s popularity still, leading the way for the expansion of the line-up and the prospect of the band’s first ever live shows.