Arial View
Untitled release
Reviewed by Pastor Fred Z
After popping in these cassettes, I was immediately taken by how talented these guys are - right out of the gate. Their first tune, "Kapygna," is a very cool instrumental that features some incredible drumming, solid bass lines, and intense double lead guitar solos. This band is definitely one of the hardest groups to categorize. Their style seems heavily influenced by Dream Theater, Kansas, Maiden, Styx, and old Stryper (if you can visualize all that).
Arial View has great vocals and harmonies, thick guitars, thumping bass, screaming keyboards, and thundering drums. What more could you possibly ask for? Some of the very hot tunes on the two-tape demo set are "Defeat" (A slam on those who follow Satan); "Seventeen" (A contemporary look at the life of a teenage girl); and (my favorite) "Shadows in the Dark" (examining one's self). The production on the tapes is very clean, so you can hear it all. Their "eyeball looking down from heaven" logo is awesome.
Arial View is also Biblically and lyrically sound. The lead guitarist is a pastor, and all of the members are serious, sold-out disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a concert promoter (who has done over 40 Christian rock concerts in the last five years), I can honestly say that this band is as talented as any signed or unsigned band that we have had. Any record company should seriously consider these guys. They've been playing all of the rock clubs in Sacramento, and have hit the top slots at the secular "battle of the bands" gigs. This is arena rock at its finest! For a copy of their "smokin'" two-tape demo set, send $12.50 to: 9101 Newhall Dr. #81, Sacramento, CA 95826. You can call (916) 369-2818 for booking and more info.