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Pinnacle Point: Symphony Of Mind

Melodic/Symphonic/Progressive Rock

5.0/5.0

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Escape Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 17.07.2020 | Released: 17.07.2020

Kansas. Not the state in America. Kansas the band. That's who Pinnacle Point reminds me of. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Pinnacle Point was founded by Danish guitarist Torben Enevoldsen (Fate, Acacia Avenue, Section A) and American vocalist Jerome Mazza, who admits to being a huge Kansas fan. Their 2017 debut album Winds Of Change struck a chord with AOR fans worldwide, becoming a bestseller. Now Pinnacle Point returns with their sophomore album, Symphony Of Mind on the Escape Music label.

Pinnacle Point's Torben Enevoldsen

The Kansas inference and influence is undeniable. One, Jerome Mazza sounds a great deal like Steve Walsh. In fact, Mazza and Walsh did a duet on Born Of Fire from Walsh's 2017 solo album Black Butterfly. Mazza also sang lead on several songs. I remember thinking how difficult is was to distinguish between the two voices. Second, in most every song within Symphony Of Mind there's a strong violin presence. Valeria Pozharitskaya's style will quickly remind Kansas fans of Robbie Steinhardt. Third, also like Kansas, in composition, Pinnacle Point succeeds at creating lightly complex melodic progressive songs that turn upon strong song melody and harmony, memorable refrains, lavish keyboard stylings including the use of a Hammond B3, and powerful guitar solos. Enevoldsen continues to be wizard on the fretboard.

At this point, some readers might say, "Okay, you made your point. Pinnacle Point is a Kansas clone." Perhaps not clone or exact copy. But as the saying goes, imitation is the sincerist from flattery. In other words, it's all good.

I'm not going to dissect so many tunes, only mention a few favorites. But it's enough say that every song within Symphony Of Mind is terrific. My personal favorites were the opening instrumental Ascent, Hero, The Wake Of Hope, Weight Of The World, and the closing title cut Symphony Of Mind. For something more akin to AOR melodic hard rock than prog, listen for the catchy Never Surreneder.

All said, if you enjoy classic melodic and symphonic progressive rock, and yes, highly reminiscent of Kansas, you will enjoy Pinnacle Point and their latest and second album Symphony Of Mind. Quite recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

If you enjoy classic melodic and symphonic progressive rock, and yes, highly reminiscent of Kansas, you will enjoy Pinnacle Point and their latest and second album Symphony Of Mind. Quite recommended.

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