Watchtower - Demonstrations in Chaos (CD)

All Music Guide

Over the years, the progressive metal landscape has become increasingly fraught with contradictions and misconceptions, mostly due to the absurd notion that a single word, "progressive," might somehow be able to account for such a varied array of musical undertakings. One word may never be enough to define so many different styles and strains of sonic endeavor, but there's one band that is regularly singled out as the prototypical progressive metal band. That band is Texas' legendary Watchtower. Arising from a virtual metallic wasteland in the mid-'80s, the group was so ahead of its time that it had already become prehistory before most anyone took notice of its amazing contributions to the then nascent genre of progressive metal. And prehistory is where Demonstrations in Chaos neatly slots itself, offering after-the-fact prog metal enthusiasts a chance to finally discover this band -- so long shrouded in mystery and bargain-bin obscurity -- through the demo recordings that gave birth ...to its incredibly influential albums. Boasting a set of semi-professional but surprisingly high-quality recordings dating from as early as the summer of 1983 and as late as 1987, Demonstrations in Chaos covers all of Watchtower's first album (save for the song "Violent Change"), five out of eight tracks from the second, and three previously unreleased tracks -- an unconventional greatest-hits package to say the least. But the fact that all of the 15 tracks gathered here feature the ear-piercing talents of original singer Jason McMaster (later of Dangerous Toys cock rock fame) means not only greater consistency, but even more bootleg-replacement value. Throw in the blinding dexterity of guitar wonders Billy White and Ron Jarzombeck, as well as the inimitable partnership that was the Doug Keyser (bass) and Rick Colaluca (drums) rhythm section, and a significant case is made for Watchtower's crucial influence on future generations of metal technicians. In conclusion, Demonstrations in Chaos retrieves progressive metal from its heap of misconceptions, strips away most of its contradictions, and boils it down to its essence, proving that Watchtower still epitomizes the sheer invention and ever-questioning soul of what progressive metal should be. - Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide Read more Less