Nepenthe is a clear reminder of progressive rock that don't have to be mean and guitar oriented. They've got some influnces from YES, Genesis and bands like that, but Nepenthe still goes with an original style of their own. The songs in themselves are quite wellorganized and not spread out with a zillion different parts. Thy've got the progressive attitude though. Vocals are brought in a a very gentle way by Jason Rosenfeld, which I think is what really makes this album a great one. Such a great feel from it. Backing vocals by the whole band. Another great thing about the whole album the calm mode of it. As I said before it's not heavy in any way, but instead Nepenthe goes with a lot of acoustic guitars and soft but strong melodies. Really good.

Written by Greger Rönnqvist

In 1990 brothers Matt Mizenko and Todd Mizenko formed Nepenthe together with Jamie Boruch. The bands initially name was Ars Nova and they are playing a music that can be described as modern progressive rock or progressive pop, comparable to early Genesis, Marillion and Yes. This could maybe be of interest even for lovers of Dream Theater.

In 1993 they released their first CD "Turning The Tide" under the name Ars Nova and in 1994 they changed their name to Nepenthe, a word that describes something capable of making one forget grief or suffering.

In 1995 they began the recording of "Everything Was Beautiful And Nothing Hurt", that was released in 1997. This is obviously a very talented group with songs containing many atmospheric mood and tempo changes, together with intricate guitars and bass. But it's not only the musicians that are great. The vocalist Jason is a very good singer too. Although this sometimes being a very intricate album the choruses are very catchy.

If you like very beautiful progressive music, this is very good and definitely worth owning. In my opinion this is one of the best albums from 1997.

The band is currently working on their new album that probably will be titled "Thistle, Thorn and Ember". They also got a new lead vocalist in Vince Ascoli who used to sing in the Yes tribute band Relayer.

NEPENTHE take their name from an ancient Greek potion given to alleviate pain and sorrow. Their music is a pretty good potion to be used for the same reason. NEPENTHE goes with a lot of acoustic guitars and soft but strong melodies. Full of gentle fluidity and poetic originality, this album is made of the stuff that aural dreamscapes are made of. The crisp music and lyrics take you on a brilliant merry-go-round, overflowing with positive energy, nirvana and classic 70’s rock elegance. Purveyors of ”Carpet Crawlers”-era GENESIS, MARILLION and YES-influenced will find this interesting. Well worth a listen!!!

Nepenthe are a fairly new American band. I say fairly new, because this CD was released in 1997, and this is one of a couple of CDs that we have had waiting for a proper review for too long. But here is it, telling you of a quiet, more delicate form of progressive rock. Unlike so many of their countrymen, Nepenthe play more emotional music.

The first track, for example, has an opening of about three minutes of acoustic guitar, piano, and vocals, introducing a ballad type of song. The vocals are clear, not unlike Ted Leonard of Enchant. Only then bass and drums (Jamie Boruch) enter, and the song builds up further and the atmosphere gets heavier. Not a real climax in musical terms, but stretched emotions. This also accounts for the third track; a long ballad of sensitive playing and emotional singing. Beauty Is A Warm Mind is a piano ballad, although not the kind of an "I love you" sing-along chorus. Nothing too special, but it fits this record very well.

Moses Does Not Breathe is more mysterious. Heavier; a bit of distorted guitars, and more complex vocal melodies. The bass work by Matt Mizenko (which, to my taste, might have been mixed more up front) is very nice, a bit like Clive Mitten of Twelfth Night but less bombastic. Very nice changes in melody. Also the fourth shows that no instrument predominates another. During the breaks, both keyboards and guitars are equally present.
Brethren is again somewhat heavier and a bit more complex, and has very nice vocals by Jason Rosenfield. The instrumental middle section has a nice interplay of bass and keyboards followed by two short keyboard solos by Eddie Konczal and a guitar solo by Todd Mizenko.

The last track is the single version of the second track. I wonder whether it has actually been released as a single, or that it is used to stretch the record's total time.

The somewhat laid-back expression of their music reminds a bit me of the slower side of Timothy Pure. No long and blistering solos, but a musical picture in a very nice frame. listening to this album is like lying in the grass on a warm day in Spring. Time passes slowly, but there's now way you can fall sleep - you feel and enjoy the surroundings, the warmth of the sounds, the whistling of the instruments, not bothered by any sense of time.

A very fine debut album. Let's hope the next one is longer.

Conclusion: 7 out of 10.

Jerry van Kooten

Nepenthe hails from Trenton, New Jersey. The band was founded in 1994, but has roots as far back at 1990 in the instrumental prog band Ars Nova (no relation to the Japanese band of the same name). Ars Nova was founded by Todd Mizenko on guitar, Matt Mizenko on bass and Jamie Boruch on drums. They became a quartet for the release of their debut album Turning the Tide in 1993 with the arrival of Eddie Konczal on keyboards. A change in the band's style saw the arrival of Jason Rosenfield on vocals, and the name change to Nepenthe.

Fans had to wait another three years for the arrival of everything was beautiful and nothing hurt released in 1997. In 1998, the band parted company with Jason and recruited former Yes-tribute band Relayer frontman Vince Ascoli on vocals. The band immediately started working on tracks for their next album, entitled Thistle, Thorn and Ember, but have made a four-track release entitled Hanging By The Same Thread to introduce Vince to the fans. This is available free of charge from the band's website.

Hanging contains three new compositions and a cover version the band have produced for a compilation album. First up is Hanging By The Same Thread. This is a classy rock power ballad. First impressions of Vince's vocals are very favourable. He has a powerful, emotive vocal style -not at all like Jon Anderson (I can't see how he could manage those more Andersonic Yes vocals in his previous role!). Hanging shows the band at their most accessible - neat harmonies, nice interplay between keyboards and guitars. All in all, a great little track, perhaps falling more into the soft rock/pomp rock genre than prog.

Unbroken is slightly more rocky, but still retaining that catchiness which pervades this whole collection. Vince shows his teeth a little more, equally at home with the rawer chorus and the staccato lyrics of the verse. Add a more of Todd's solid guitar playing and a neat synth solo from Eddie, and you have another useful addition to the Nepenthe repertoire.

Lady In Winter is a another powerful ballad, a powerfully evocative composition which really allows Vince to show the strength of the old vocals chords. I'm not sure how to describe this - I am reminded of Seventies hard rock - Uriah Heep maybe before they went metal. Todd's guitar playing is certainly not unlike Mike box, and the interplay between guitar and keyboards has a certain retro feel to it. Whatever - it works for me!

A song that doesn't work for me is Nepenthe's cover of the Tears for Fears classic Everybody Wants To Rule the World. I'm sad enough to admit that I have rather a liking for Tears for Fears - and certainly in the mid-Eighties was quite a fan. As a result Nepenthe's version has to stand up to a decade or more of knowing the original. But, this is quite a radical re-write of the song. Strangely, the band has managed to totally retain the ambience of the original and alter the tempo quite radically. Initially, I thought they had produced a pointless mangled off-tempo version, but after a few listens I can pick out that they have, in effect, redesigned the song. It works rather well, in retrospect, but I can't help but compare it to the original!

In my review of everything was beautiful I described Nepenthe's sound as a blend of elements of pop and AOR with classic progressive rock - and the arrival of Vince has done nothing to change this. The three original tracks are what I am now recognising as pure Nepenthe. They are evolving into a classy American rock band - and certainly, with a push in the right direction, should be lapped up by the American FM/MTV audience. Maybe support slot on the next Spock's Beard tour wouldn't go amiss! Personally I am looking forward to the new album…

Hanging By The Same Thread (MZ12AU7) is released and distributed through the band's website and fan club and is only available direct from the band. These are, in effect, free samples from the band - you can download them from the Nepenthe website at http://www.highlycriticalmedia.com and create your own mini-CD. If you would rather Todd and the lads burnt one for you, then you will be charged to cover the price of the CD and postage. Check out the website for ordering details or contact the band at Edge Production, PO Box 9808, Trenton, NJ 08650; tel: (732) 308-9530; e-mail: nepenthe@highlycriticalmedia.com.
        

reviewed by Frank Blades

Nepenthe are :
Jason Rosenfeld on vocals
Todd Mizenko on guitars
Jamie Boruch on drums
Matt Mizenko on basses
Eddie Konczal on keyboards

The tracks are :
1. skyrocketstereo (7:44)
2. moses does not breathe (8:46)
3. the ugly and the brave (7:05)
4. sorrow 5:04)
5. beauty is a warm mind (3:43)
6. brethren (one buring question) (7:18)
7. moses does not breathe (single version) (4:20)

New Jersey based Nepenthe was formed in 1990 under it's original name Ars Nova by bassist Matt Mizenko, guitarist Todd Mizenko and drummer Jamie Boruch. In mid 1993, accompanied by new keyboardist Eddie Konczal, the band released it's first CD, 'Turning The Tide', which met with marked success both in the United States and abroad.

In 1994, the band began to refine it's style and used this as an oppurtunity to take on the name Nepenthe, a word that describes something capable of making one forget grief or suffering. With this new focus, the band played shows everywhere from small clubs in New hampshire to new york's famed CBGB, simultaneously writing new songs for it's next album. 'everything was beautiful and nothing hurt'

The opening track is 'skyrockstereo', this is a beautiful track starts off fairly quietly with some nice atmospheric keyboards and acoustic guitar. Nice vocals from Jason, whose voice is melodic and emotional. There's some nice piano work and then the track gradually builds up, Jason vocals becoming a lot more powerful and a slightly heavier guitar sound and great keyboardsand ends with a nice guitar solo. Just wish the solo had been a little more prominant. The track then fades out with the keyboards.

The next track is 'moses does not breathe' starting with some nice flowing mellow keyboards, then shortly after there's some nice percussion and then in comes a heavy guitar comes in and some superb keyboards, wonderful drums and percussion and superb bass lines. Excellent intricate guitar work and a catchy chorus. Jason's vocals are a lot more powerful on this track and there are some nice changes in direction, mood and tempo throughout the track.

The third track 'the ugly and the brave' starts with some nice guitar, again the vocals from Jason are superb. Just after a minute and a half into the track the drums and keyboards come in. This is another track that gradually builds up. There are some nice backing vocals at the start and at the end of the track.

The next track 'sorrow', starts with some great keyboards and guitar, this track has more of a rock feel to it. Great vocals from Jason. This track has a good strong beat to it and some great bass.

'beauty is a warm mind' starts with some atmospheric keyboards followed some nice piano, nice vocals and the track ends with some more atmospheric keyboards.

The sixth track 'brethren (one burning sensation)', this is another track that starts with some nice atmospheric keyboards and the followed by some superb intricate guitar and bass. The track changes tempo quite often around the vocals. Nice changes in direction, mood and tempo. Excellent keyboards.

The final track is 'moses does not breathe (single version)', shorter version of track two, i suppose made for radio play. This is a nice track though and has a catchy chorus.

This is a very nice and relaxing album. it's mainly a progressive rock album with a few pop elements thrown in, which makes it very easy to listen to. Lovers of early Genesis, Marillion and Yes will find this interesting!!

Well worth a listen!!!