Yes, I’ve been listening to Atomic Time’s Subsounds again. It has become a daily celebration for my wife and I. Atomic Time’s Subsounds is right now my favorite album of the year. And it is in large part because of the talent of the musicians on this album. The combination of some of the best keyboard playing of the year by Gabriel D’Incao, and the electric guitar playing of Pedro D’Incao; which blends perfectly with those keyboards. Their father/son synchronized playing creates music that is flawless. That virtuoso combination and how they work together to create subsounds, is what builds the foundation for Subsounds, and makes it so much better than any other album I’ve heard this year.
However, before Subsounds, there was the band’s debut album, Out of the Loop. It was released July 26, 2019. And it is a great album to listen to and see how Atomic Time developed and began their quest to make unforgettable progressive rock music.
The band had the same members at the time of recording Out of the Loop. They include: Gabriel D’Incao, on keyboards; Pedro D’Incao, on lead guitar; João Ribeiro, on bass; Roger Lopes, on lead vocals; and Sylvio Serra, on drums.
Out of the Loop, sets the stage early for the virtuoso keyboard playing of Gabriel D’Incao. He opens the first track, “Robots Can Lie”, with soft echoing synth sound effects, after Sylvio Serra’s gong – like cymbal welcome. This track is definitely the precursor to SubSounds’, “Cyclical Night”; although without that haunting mid-night walk through the Amazonian jungle. Pedro D’Incao, on lead guitar and João Ribeiro, on bass, help add to the soundscape, but this, like many of their songs, is a showcase for Gabriel D’Incao’s incredible keyboard and synth talents. An over 13 minute instrumental voyage into the cosmos, and an absolutely brilliant way to open your debut album. Sylvio Serra’s drums completes the soundscape and make this one of the best songs on the album.
“Shooting Star”, has a slow opening and sneaks up on you with impressive synth work from Gabriel. Then, his father, Pedro plays a warm electric guitar supported with bass and drums. We hear Roger Lopes’s first lead vocals on an Atomic Time album, “I can′t give up. I just can′t give up. Floating in the empty sky. I’m numb under all these sounds. I look around, see no ground. Look up. Can you see me no”. Like an astronaut leaving the spaceship for the first time. Gabriel’s synthesizers set an outstanding melody for the electric guitars, bass and drums; as we seem to fly through space. An amazing, over 17 minute journey beyond our world. Yes, like a shooting star. This is a more instrumental – based album, but the early signs of how important Roger’s vocals would distinguish this band from so many in the genre, can be heard on this track. The acoustic guitar at the end will take you back to the song, “Wishing You Were Here”; just before, Gabriel takes us on another space ride to the stars.
“Grey Sky”, is the first real showcase for Roger’s vocals, with more lyrics for him to sing. Gabriel’s quiet, then full on, space keyboards lights the way. Then Roger takes over, “The constellations guided our lives. Now our gray sky is hosting no stars. And the world changes in the blink of an eye. While moments escape from my mind”. Great drumming, lead guitar and bass helping to build the soundscape. Roger sings, “Everything is spinning so fast, people come and go away. Time pushes me through the days and I just need some delay. The stars were fire on the darkest nights. And now I just need to turn on the lights. There’s no magic when I look at the moon. And every day I hope tomorrow comes soon”. Then, a cool instrumental interlude with keyboards, guitars and drums. Roger returns, “Our lives were about shadows of the sun. And now I’ve got no time for anyone. I wish everything was like before. Then I could hold your hand once more. Everything is spinning so fast, people come and go away. Time pushes me through the days and I just need some delay”. And don’t we all? Over 17 minutes of contemplative music. How fast time flies, when you are having fun.
“Rivers”, is an interesting song. It almost sounds like a prog song trying to be a blues song. The guitar playing and even the keyboards sound a little riverside bluesy. The lyrics definitely have that blues tinge to them. Roger sings, “Dim lights in a faint city. My baby ran away. Down a river in Mississippi. I′ll never forget that day. There is a black sky. Over the mountain ridge. You’ve changed my life somehow. Nobody knows what′s coming now”. The keyboards even sound a little like Ray Manzarek, from the Doors. The guitar playing is more bluesy than progressive on this song. A great change of pace and genre, which displays this bands diverse talent. But they do come back, to what makes them great, with spacey keyboards, as Roger sings the close, “May the wind carry my whispers. Through the endless Mississippi River. I will sail on this river. From end to end, you know”. Definitely, the best showcase of Roger’s dynamic vocal sound on Out of the Loop.
“Red Rain”, opens with explosion sounds, similar to the explosion which would make the opening to “Violeta’s Dream”, so epic on Subsounds. Gabriel, joins the soundscape for some early Blade Runner sounds. This is an over 14 minute showcase of drums, keyboards and guitar. Nothing like the Peter Gabriel song at all. No lyrics.
“The Same”, is another great showcase for Roger’s vocals. After, a great bluesy opening with acoustic guitar, bass, and drums. Gabriel returns to turn it up a notch with the keyboards. Roger sings, “Somebody said life is short. Days, keep going by. Nothing surprises you anymore. The same ole stories. About former glory. But it’s all about, the change. Util you find somebody new. Tomorrow and today will be the same. Until you lost someone. Tomorrow and today will be the same”. The search for someone to be with for the rest of your life. A sad song at times while that search is under way. The drumming is exceptional, and so are those Styx-like keyboards. The lead electric guitar and bass hums along, just fine. Another bluesy feel to this song. This over 15 minute song is one of the best showcases for Pedro D’Incao’s lead guitar. But Gabriel adds his own keyboard magic, while Sylvio Serra keeps the timing correct on drums.
“Living in the Ghost”, opens with some more cool innovative keyboards and synths from Gabriel. The sound effects remind me of a whirlwind from Ghostbusters, at the opening. Then, almost Gothic keys and synths. Very cool indeed. This instrumental track is another great showcase for Pedro D’Incao’s precision lead guitar playing. Gabriel compliments everything with his bell keys and the background synth soundscape. Sylvio Serra does another impressive job keeping the sound in synch with drums.
“No Time for Angels”, is the dynamic closer you would imagine and want it to be. Another precursor to Subsounds’ ultimate salute to the Divine, “The Voice of God”. It opens with some very cool electric guitar and synth sounds which set the stage well, for what is about to come. An absolute dynamic symposium of sound which absolutely radiates across the soundscape. At times almost as good as the before mentioned track from Subsounds. This one has a faster beat with excellent drums matching Gabriel’s keyboard innovations. An over 20 minute masterclass on keyboard and synths. And then, you wonder, how is it possible you have never heard of Gabriel D’Incao? Well, discovery made! Everyone gets in on this, bass, drums, lead guitar and of course, keyboards and synths. Pedro D’Incao’s guitar playing on this song is also phenomenal. Sylvio Serra’s drum playing is exemplary. João Ribeiro’s bass playing allows him his Chris Squire time, and he makes the most of every moment offered.
Atomic Time’s Out of the Loop, is a great introduction to this band. If you take a look at the track length of each of these songs, you will know this band is both prolific and capable of playing with the legends you remember from the 60s and 70s. And now, we may only have, a half a year or more, to wait to hear what they have planned next. At least that is what Pedro told me in our interview. The third album is already under way. Atomic Time has everything it needs to keep producing top notch music for years to come. An interesting, vocal teacher with a vocal range that makes him stand out among his peers in progressive rock. Lead vocalist Roger Lopes, was a gift to this band, who were in search of a teacher to teach others how to sing. Father and son duo, Pedro D’Incao and Gabriel D’Incao, are masters with the instruments they play. All they can do to make changes, is to maybe add to their inventory of unique instruments in the future. Sylvio Serra’s drumming is just what this band needs to keep its rhythm and elevated sound. And maybe João Ribeiro’s bass playing will expand to match the innovations gained, by studying the abilities of Chris Squire.
But, the difference between Atomic Time’s Out of the Loop and Subsounds ends up being Kim Chandler. Once you hear her emotional and uplifting vocal clarity, you will understand why they chose her, and may never make another album without her. Pedro D’Incao has told me he doubts it. Kim will make her return for album three.
Atomic Time is the band you have been waiting for prog fans who love keyboards and spacey sounds. Get Out of the Loop, to get in the loop, and understand where Atomic Time’s wonderful journey began!
Track List:
- Robots Can Lie – 13:03
- Shooting Star – 17:49
- Grey Sky – 17:35
- Rivers – 13:55
- Red Rain – 14:34
- The Same – 15:40
- Living in the Ghost – 11:30
- No Time for Angels – 20:12
Atomic Time’s Out of the Loop, was produced by Atomic Time. It was recorded at Valetes Studio, Bauru, Brazil. The album engineer was Emil Shayeb. The sound was mastered at Metropolis Studio, London. Master Engineer was| Tim Young. Sleeve art by Nádia Maria. Photography by Nádia Maria. Graphic layout by Gustavo Domingues. All music by Gabriel D’Incao and Pedro D’Incao.
Band Website and Social Media Links:
https://atomictime.bandcamp.com/album/subsounds
https://www.facebook.com/atomictimeband
https://listen.tidal.com/album/417757259
https://www.instagram.com/p/DHg32CWJ-R8
YouTube and Music Video Links: