"It greatly exceeded expectations. In a nutshell, the LP mixes the caustic edge of its direct precursor with the melodic accessibility of 2015's Coma Ecliptic and the frenzied zaniness of 2018's Automata duology. It's ripe with affectively serene detours ("Sfumato", "Stare Into the Abyss"), thunderously off-the-wall celebrations ("Fix the Error", "Prehistory"), and immensely hooky melodies ("Revolution in Limbo", "The Future is Behind Us"). It contains plenty of allusions to Colors, too, so it really comes across like a proper continuation. At times beautiful, brutal, and utterly bizarre-often simultaneously-Colors II is remarkable." JMB-PM/NPS

"There is no other way for me to put it than this: Colors II is a triumph, the exact triumph the band set out for it to be. It goes beyond pulling from the things that made Colors a timeless album. It is a showcase of why BTBAM has been and always will be some of the most ruthlessly creative, wildly talented, technically proficient and unbelievably gifted songwriters of all time. It is easy to see why from pretty much day one of their 20+ year career they have been hailed as pioneers of progressive and technical metal, but their music has always transcended genre. It is just incredible music, bar none, and Colors II is the next exhibit in the case for their continued supremacy." Ian-NC

"It's all clever, head-turning stuff. There are flashes of 70s prog pomp in the expansive and excellent two-parter, Never Seen/Future Shock, which then seamlessly veer off into the jagged world of metalcore. Stare Into The Abyss is textured and rich, rising to an explosive crescendo from a sublime standing start. Then there’s the wonderful Prehistory, which is playful and arch, and The Future Is Behind Us, which boasts an irregular, staccato rhythm that rails against the world. The result is a worthy follow-up to the original Colors." PW-Prog



Essential Track: ""Human Is Hell (Another One with Love)" (15:08) opens with machine gun guitar, bass, and drum riffing before collapsing into a fairly melodic standard 80s metal sound structure. But then the growl vocals enter and everything goes grey/static/white noise. The first five minutes give me very little to hang on to, but then at 4:19 Tommy Rogers' voice turns human and I can finally latch onto something. But, this is short-lived. The next metal section that ensues varies only in the effects used on the lead guitar's rapid-fire riffing. In the seventh minute the music tries to go toward Dick Dale island, but then turns back--until 7:25 when a new meaty rock riff and structure is established--giving way to a little more Math Rock/Crimsonian weave at 7:53--which is then slowed down for some sensitive, spacious whole band interplay. I like this! Vocals (with harmonizing b vox!) join in. Then David Torn-like guitar solos. This is really cool music! At the ten minute mark we switch again, a kind of "Mr. Roboto" keyboard one note bass-line is established over which various unusual computer percussive sounds are woven with keyboard until LINKIN PARK vocal and growls are intermixed, side by side, one over the other, while the rhythm section play with odd syncopations and staccato playing. Overall, an odd song that, for me, puts on display the band members' rock roots and contrasts and melds them with their extreme metal explorations (and preferences?) (26.5/30)" BF-PA



Read the full reviews on Prog Archives.

Listen and watch the videos on the band's YouTube Channel.

Buy the CD or LP directly from the band at betweentheburiedandme.com or wherever great Prog music is sold.

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Click on the following link for a complete list of bands that have played for the NewEARS Art Rock Series

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2021-12-10
Kansas - Point of Know Return Anniversary Tour at Zeiterion PAC - New Bedford, MA at 08:00 PM
$49 - $249 (VIP)

2021-12-10
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas 2021 at Lowell Memorial Auditorium - Lowell, MA at 08:00 PM
$39 - $89

2021-12-11
Kansas - Point of Know Return at Lowell Memorial Auditorium - Lowell, MA at 08:00 PM
$49 - $299 (VIP)

2021-12-15
Genesis The Last Domino? Tour at TD Garden - Boston, MA at 08:00 PM
$80.50 - $505.50

2021-12-16
Genesis The Last Domino? Tour at TD Garden - Boston, MA at 08:00 PM
$80.50 - $505.50

2022-01-08
The Genesis Show - Recreating the Music of Genesis from '76-'82 - The Phil Collins Years at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 08:00 PM
$45

2022-01-19
The Gilmour Project (Jeff Pevar, Kasim Sulton, Prairie Prince, Mark Karan & Scott Guberman) at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 07:30 PM
$45 - $95 (VIP)

2022-01-20
The Gilmour Project (Jeff Pevar, Kasim Sulton, Prairie Prince, Mark Karan & Scott Guberman) at The Wilbur - Boston, MA at 08:00 PM
$35 - $50

2022-01-21
Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets - The Echoes Tour at Boch Center - Shubert Theatre - Boston, MA at 08:00 PM
$54 - $434 (VIP Cocktail Party)

2022-01-21
The Gilmour Project (Jeff Pevar, Kasim Sulton, Prairie Prince, Mark Karan & Scott Guberman) at The Strand - Providence, RI at 09:00 PM
$30 - $45

2022-01-22
The Gilmour Project (Jeff Pevar, Kasim Sulton, Prairie Prince, Mark Karan & Scott Guberman) at Tupelo Music Hall - Derry, NH at 08:00 PM
$40 - $65

2022-02-05
Martin Barre performs classic Jethro Tull at Tupelo Music Hall - Derry, NH at 08:00 PM
$45 - $60

2022-02-05
Dream Theater - THE TOP OF THE WORLD TOUR 2021 at Boch Center - Wang Theatre - Boston, MA at 07:30 PM
With Special Guests Arch Echo
$39 - $229 VIP

2022-02-06
Martin Barre performs classic Jethro Tull at Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT at 08:00 PM
$49.50 - $104.50 (VIP)

2022-02-09
The Neal Morse Band - ‘An Evening of Innocence & Danger’ at The Sinclair - Cambridge, MA at 08:00 PM
$50 - $55 day of show

2022-02-26
MESHUGGAH at The Palladium - Worcester, MA at 07:00 PM
With Special Guests Converge and Torche
$42.50 - $60.45

All Events ...>>

12/10 - Zeiterion, New Bedford MA 12/11 - Memorial Auditorium, Lowell MA

America's preeminent progressive rock band, KANSAS, will be wrapping-up their popular Point of Know Return Anniversary Tour in the United States with one final leg during the winter 2021 and spring of 2022. Originally launched as a celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the massive hit album Point of Know Return, the band will be performing the album in its entirety. The tour showcases classic KANSAS music including hit songs, deep cuts, fan favorites, and will include selections from the band's latest studio album The Absence of Presence.

In 1977, KANSAS followed up the success of Leftoverture by releasing the album Point of Know Return. Containing the smash hit and million-selling single "Dust in the Wind", along with fan favorites such as "Portrait (He Knew)", "Closet Chronicles", and "Paradox", Point of Know Return became the band's greatest selling studio album. The album peaked at #4 on Billboard's Album charts, reached sextuple-platinum status with more than six million copies sold, and had three Billboard Hot 100 singles.

KANSAS is currently comprised of original drummer Phil Ehart, bassist/vocalist Billy Greer, vocalist/keyboardist Ronnie Platt, violinist/guitarist David Ragsdale, keyboardist/vocalist Tom Brislin, and original guitarist Richard Williams. Originally formed in 1973 in Topeka, KS, the band's documentary film KANSAS: Miracles Out of Nowhere is currently being broadcast on AXSTV. KANSAS has released 16 studio albums, including its most recent releases The Prelude Implicit (2016) and The Absence of Presence (2020). With no signs of slowing down, KANSAS continues to 'carry on;' performing in front of large and enthusiastic audiences around the world.

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2021-12-03: Voivod announce brand new studio album
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2021-12-03: Steve Vai announces new album, unveils bonkers steampunk guitar
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2021-12-02: Manticore Records Relaunching Under the Auspices of Regina Lake, Widow of Legendary Greg Lake
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