Cosmosquad is an American instrumental power trio formed in 1997, primarily featuring guitarist Jeff Kollman and drummer Shane Gaalaas. Positioned at the intersection of 70s jazz fusion (think Mahavishnu Orchestra or Return to Forever) and modern progressive metal, the band is defined by high-level technical proficiency and a 'heavy fusion' aesthetic.
Kollman's style is particularly noteworthy for blending sophisticated jazz harmony with the grit of blues-rock and the precision of metal. The band's career is marked by long gaps between releases, yet they maintain a cult following among 'musician's musicians' and crate-diggers of the Shrapnel Records era. Their work, especially 'Squadrophenia' and 'The Morbid Tango', is characterized by frequent use of odd meters, complex polyrhythms, and a highly dynamic mix that favors organic, hand-played textures over digital quantization. They are a staple of the Los Angeles session musician scene, frequently performing at venues like The Baked Potato, which has cemented their reputation as a premier live improvisational unit.
Shares jazz fusion, progressive metal, electric guitar, dynamic_range (signature)
Shares jazz fusion, intense, electric guitar, dynamic_range (signature)
Shares jazz fusion, intense, electric guitar, art rock (signature)
Shares jazz fusion, intense, dynamic_range, art rock (signature)
Shares jazz fusion, dynamic_range, art rock, instrumental_only (signature)
Shares jazz fusion, electric guitar, dynamic_range, art rock (signature)
Shares jazz fusion, intense, art rock, instrumental_only (signature)
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