Album Notes

Returning to the Beginning is the first two Cerebus Effect Albums on one CD. It contains both Live at Orion and Dark Matter, each in their entirety.

Regarding Live at Orion...
Heavy keyboard driven odd meter fusion from hell. 2001 Live recording with the original line up of Patrick Gaffney: Drums, Joe Walker: Keyboards, and Louis Sherman on Bass. Intense heavy fusion with keyboards galore...not for the weak at heart.

Past Reviews
Chops and Conviction
author: Scott Lenin
This band has some blazing chops. The drummer is flying and his dexterity is ridiculous. Great harmonies and stabbing keyboard solos. Storming from one screwy rhythm to another. Kicks ass and asks questions later. The only thing I bad thing I can say about it is the live recording mix is a little rough. If you want some intensity and you are not frightened easily, this CD is for you!

Think ELP on Day 3 of a Crystal Meth Binge
author: Stumblin'
I kinda like it, but the whole time I was listening I could just picture Beavis yelling "faster..FASTER, he he, he he"

Regarding Dark Matter....
Aggressive odd meter power trio fusion. The instrumentation, while consisting of only guitar, bass, and drums, conveys a wide array of harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic counterpoint. All of the instrumentalists alternate between soloing and accompaniment to balance the emphasis musically in the orchestration.

Past Reviews
Great Playing and Great Writing
author: Andrew Harthausen
A rare musical experience that challenges the listener yet never gets boring. Will buy their next cd!

Muscular Instrumental Fusion Much to Be Excited By
author: Luis Nasser
Cerebus Effect is another member of the ever-growing cadre that conform the progressive rock underground scene in Baltimore, and this demo release will give fans of muscular, instrumental fusion much to be excited by. Think equal parts Allan Holdsworth with some angry guitar leads heavily flavored by Zappa, circa "Zoot Allures", and you'll get a very good idea of what these guys can do. Of course, the pyrotechnics don't stop with John-walker's 6-string assault, as Uncle Gut's very own Mike Galway lays down his signature mix of big, brutal grooves mixed with melodic solos and walking lines, delivered tightly in synch with the ever-shifting, hyperkinetic meter frenzy of Patrick Gaffney. Ultimately, hystrionics can get old but I'm happy to report that there isn't a single track on this release that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. The stand-outs have to be Ghandi Chops (pure balls and chunk) and Sleepy Hollow (tasy and hypnotic), but they are all pretty damn good. Having said that, this is still very much a demo of work in progress, and although it is a bit raw here and there (some fade-outs and mix details) the ideas and the direction are all solid. I can guarantee that with better production and arranging this band is poised to deliver a KILLER full-length CD. For instance, I think that while tracks 2 & 4 are both great, they are somewhat similar to each other. Take the best parts of both, work on some nice arrangements to knit everything together, and what you'll have is just pure fusion bliss. But that's just me, you know? This is pretty good stuff and I can't help wishing they don't waste an opportunity to make their first CD as great as it could be; the talent and creativity are really there, and now it's just a matter of discipline and patience. It is also worthwhile to note that, as nice as this recording is, it really doesn't do justice to their live sound and energy. Fusion fans take note: Join their mailing list, and keep your eyes open for whatever shows they may be playing in your area. You can get in touch with the band at www.cerebuseffect.com, to order advance copies of this disk, which I recommend highly to everyone with a taste for instrumental fusion. Remember it is a DEMO. I don't want to read any whining later on... rating: 8 keyboards