“Innocence flowing through me as people pass me by. The world is at my fingertips, there’s promise in my eyes.”

With these words, the band Transcend welcomes you to their world. Their very young world …

This group of West Islanders are a combined age of seventy- two. That is the same age as Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones. Four divided into that number equals Constantine Damoulianis on guitar and vocals, Alexi Lagogianis on keyboards, Devon Butters on bass and Jake Shamash on drums and percussion.

These four lads, and they really are lads – have created a theme. A concept album which – if released in 1970, would have propelled them to supetstardom. That is what happened to bands like Rush and Genesis. The forefathers of concept, progressive rock …

Listening to side one of Transcend’s first disc is an eye – opening experience. The first thing which slaps your senses is a thought. A basic idea that these guys are very talented musicians. The second slap is just how diverse the songs are …

They do not want to stop. Nor should they.

Up and down, tight to left, right to right and left to tight. Got it ? Uh huh ….

There is no point in naming song titles here. Side one is one continuous tune marked by subtitles. Cleverly disguised by names like Entity Divine and Reign Over Me. A blending of hard rock guitars, Neil Peart – wannabe drumming and soft ballads. Add Alexi’s sharp keyboards a la Styx – a fantastic listening experience is what spins on the cd player.

Constatine ( Costas ), wrote, produced and edited the album. It is his baby and he sings all the songs. According to the soon – to-be-nineteen year old, the album came about thanks to the movie; Waking Life. An animated trip through conscienceness. ‘Transcending’ dreams and the time of a complete alerted being.

Exactly …

It does not matter if a grasp of the concept is out of reach. Once the roof of ‘the mind’ is opened and the rain is allowed to enter – the vegetation of truth grows upward. It is that profound and that is only the first disc!

Disc two commences somewhere in Costas’ mind. A recess of improbable ideas combined with incredibly interwoven guitar and keyboard. An introduction to the song ‘ the mind’. An intro to the mind.

Alexi and Damoulianos duel to the death. A battle where the listener is the victor as a story of the different steps a mind takes as it develops maturity. ‘The Mind Awaits’ and walks away into ‘new horizons’.

Spend hours making love, exploding the passions of what it takes to develop a special bond. A unison of trust, lust and sexuality. Upon doing so – a better understanding of side two is in grasp yet not quite. Through heart – pounding ruthless rhythms to melodic sweetness portrayed as an actress of serenity, disc two is a love affair.

As most amorous engagements, it takes time and effort to instill a comfortable belonging. Following two sessions of listening foreplay – an understanding is reached with the band …

A connection of two minds …

Please contact me for information on how to purchase this disc.Rickkeene2@gmail.com