Review: The Resonance Project – Ad Astra

Style: Progressive Metal, Jazz Fusion (Instrumental)
Recommended for fans of: David Maxim Micic, Plini, Scale the Summit, Neurotech
Review by: Christopher
Country: US-CA
Release date: 24 February, 2023

I have a confession to make: I don’t really like the “instrudjental” prog that’s in vogue these days. The single-coil soloing of our elder Plini, the frantic teenage onanism of Polyphia, the thunder amidst meteorological atmospheres of Cloudkicker… none of it really connects with me. Don’t get me wrong, I respect the talent of all those bands but I rarely want to listen to a full album of their work. Instrudjental music just isn’t for me. 

Or is it?! Following up on their 2019 self-titled debut, Ad Astra is the sophomore release from The Resonance Project; compromised of Yas Nomura (guitar and bass) and Lang Zhao (drums, synthestration) this talented Californian duo take on the instrudjental genre and marry it with a strong jazz fusion sensibility as well as a surfeit of guest performances. The overall effect is like seeing David Maxim Micic refracted through a Cynic shaped prism; the requisite djent riffs and crazy solos abound but the quiet heart of The Resonance Project is in the frolicsome noodling of Nomura’s guitar and bass and the jazzy dynamism of Zhao’s drumming. 

A lot of instrumental prog metal groups riff on the ideas of the genre’s titans; of most groups you can comfortably remark something like “these critters are being led by Animals as Leaders”, or “you guys are trying to climb a peak already claimed by Scale the Summit,” or “this is some off-brand Liquid Tension Experiment style Brie-less cheese”. While you can hear the influence of many such luminaries in The Resonance Project’s music, to call them mere imitators of any of the above would be inaccurate. For example, “Void” moves over Animals as Leaders territory, but the grandiose Zimmerian organ swells, choppy percussion choices, catchy central motif, and the eventual curve into Car Bomb-esque tempo experimentation render it so much more than simple caricature.

To take another example, “Prophecy” may well be the album’s stand out track, throwing a chaotic brass section—led by raucous trumpeter Aaron Janik—into the mix. The end product sounds like Thank You Scientist and Scale the Summit embroiled in a steamy tryst with the rapturous horns cavorting lasciviously with the handsy basswork, the percussion teasing at the voluptuous curves of the saxophone. However, to say any single track stands above its peers is a bold claim on Ad Astra; each song is memorable thanks to having been imbued with a distinct identity by the composers.

Nomura and Zhao are a tight duo but The Resonance Project wouldn’t be what it is without its guests. Whether it’s the unhinged guitarwork of Mateus Asato on “Dawn”, the frantic bass soloing of Hadrien Faraud on “Gem”, or the effortless interplay of wild guitar and keyboard from Colin Cook and Joey Izzo on “Macrocosm”, all the guest spots demonstrate a knack for recognising talented musicians who can both complement and elevate each composition. Perhaps the best illustration of this is with the addition of a vocalist on the closing number “End of Time”. Dino Jelusick runs the gamut from grungier cleans to gruff power metal highs, which demonstrate why Michael Romeo chose him for War of the Worlds Part 2, and also delivers some agonised growls along the way. Ending your instrumental album with such an incredible vocal-led song is a bold move, yet “End of Time” doesn’t outshine what came before; a testament to the instrumental chops of these daring composers. 

Instrudjental bands are ten-a-penny these days, but The Resonance Project give the competition a run for their money, experimenting with various combinations of metal and jazz while bringing along a cadre of skillful guest performers along for the ride. Nomura and Zhao are a potent songwriting dyad, and the consistent variation on Ad Astra ensures it’s never a chore to listen to; this is a duo well on their way to earning a place alongside the best instrumental artists in the prog metal pantheon.

Recommended tracks: Prophecy, Ad Astra, End of Time
You may also like: Sound Struggle, Etrange, Syncatto
Final verdict: 8/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram

Label: Independent

The Resonance Project is:
– Yas Nomura (guitars and bass)
– Lang Zhao (drums and synthestration)