Nepenthe (Progressive)

A man forgotten and weak seeks refuge in the dark corner of an abandoned tenement. The winter air breaths deep into his veins while the rain seeps sorrow into his skin. In the darkness his numbed fingers struggle to light a candle. From his pocket he removes a photograph. Black and white, it is faded, creased, and sullen. But the glow of the fire awakens the tired image and a feeling arises from within his core. Slowly, he finds comfort. Slowly, he finds nepenthe . . . an emerging light in a world of darkness.

Nepenthe was formed in 1990 by brothers Matt Mizenko (bass) and Todd Mizenko (guitar) along with Jamie Boruch (drums). The band initially honed its skills playing the New York/New Jersey club circuit, and developed a unique sound spanning epic progressive rock to European pop and blurring the lines in between. Keyboardist Eddie Konczal and vocalist Keith Watlington joined the band in 1992. In 1993, the band released their debut CD, "Turning the Tide" (under their original name, Ars Nova).

In 1994 vocalist Jason Rosenfeld replaced Watlington. The band began to refine its style and changed its name to Nepenthe (a word that describes something capable of making one forget grief or suffering). After a short tour of coffeehouses, Nepenthe emerged with a powerful show at the legendary CBGB in New York City.

After performing throughout the northeastern United States for most of 1994, the band entered the studio in 1995 to record "everything was beautiful and nothing hurt" (InEarVisions, 1997). Prior to the album's release, the track "The Ugly and The Brave" was included on the compilation CD "New Brunswick Underground" (Childlike Records, 1996) to critical acclaim. In March 1997 the band's CD release show at New Brunswick's Budapest Cocktail Lounge shattered attendance records for the venue.

After the departure of Rosenfeld in 1998, the band soldiered on with the addition of lead vocalist Vince Ascoli, formerly of the Yes tribute band Relayer. Ascoli contributed his talents to the "Mercury" EP (1999) and to the band's cover of Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" ("Parachute Pants," Childlike Records, 1999) before the band decided to disband. They played their farewell concert in December 1999.

Nepenthe reached the MP3.com Progressive Rock Top 40 several times, most recently in May 2003 with both "Hanging by the Same Thread" and "Unbroken." "Hanging by the Same Thread" also reached #1 on the New Brunswick, New Jersey local charts that same month.

Nepenthe broke up in 1999 but is committed to keeping its music available for the Internet community.

Genesis, Yes, Marillion, Rush, King Crimson, Tears for Fears, Simple Minds, Radiohead, Seal, Leonard Cohen

Roland and Korg Keyboards; Mackie mixers; PRS guitars; Alesis and Lexicon processors.

NEPENTHE's "everything was beautiful and nothing hurt" CD is available from .

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