We all have those bands that filter in and out of our consciousness, but we don’t necessarily take the time to listen to them. I’ve been aware of Turning Virtue for years, even met some of the band, but I only took the plunge with their 2020 album Beautiful, and now again with their new record, He Held the Sun Captive. It releases today, August 16th, and it is a rock solid offering.
Turning Virtue comes to us from Buffalo, NY. They have been a band since 1982 with the same lineup, which is pretty amazing. The lineup includes David Karczewski on vocals, guitars, and bass, DPA on bass, and Mark Hellenbach on guitars. Baard Kolstad of Leprous provides the drums, and Dan Sciolino of Forever in Transit provides keys.
The band plays progressive rock that is certainly influenced by Pink Floyd on one side, but also alternative rock and prog metal on the other. This album leans more towards the former, I’d say. You’ll hear plenty of moments that evoke memories of Floyd’s biggest albums, but also more ambient ideas, raw segments, and lots of guitars and keys.
He Held the Sun Captive isn’t a heavy album, per se. It certainly likes to bask within gorgeous atmospheric touches and hovering whispers. However, I’ll admit that I was about halfway through the opening track before it really caught me—the spiraling guitar fireworks are what really attracted me to the album at first. As I’ve listened, though, I’ve come to appreciate all sides of their sound.
The album only has four tracks and is roughly a half-hour long. The opener “Faciliation” is a beautiful track with plenty of guitar musings that build up to the aforementioned wall of guitars that sounds sensational; I like the subtle groove that dances within the last few minutes. “When We Were Gods” is next, and I think might be my favorite. It sounds a lot like a Pink Floyd song at first, and the bright keys and effervescent chorus slowly get more addictive each time I hear it.
“Inimicus” is the third track, and this one always throws me for a loop for how British it sounds. David certainly lays down some astute vocals on this one, and the chorus is deceptively catchy. Honestly, it reminds me so much of the band Cross, who ironically were not from Britain but from Sweden (RIP Hansi Cross). I have no idea if the band has heard Cross or not, but that’s the band which comes to mind. Anyways, the final piece is called “Denouement”, and it’s a great closer. The first half is basically ambient space with guitar accents to create a mood, and then the second half is spacy and melodic. I really like the ambience on that one.
Turning Virtue deserve more attention. He Held the Sun Captive is a creative album that pays tribute to the greats while also lingering within its own identity, too. I love the balance between thrilling instrumental portions and utter atmosphere, and David’s vocals are undeniably soothing. I hope progressive rock fans will take a look at this album.
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The PROG Mind 