NEWS4U AUGUST 2022 | MUSIC
PHOTO COURTESEY OF JOSH KERCHIEF
THE ALPHA INCIDENT
Area prog-metal band set to release part one of ambitious multi-media project
I
n yet another example of how the city's
Previously, guitarist Daniel Wade was
connecting disjointed pieces together. Once
original music scene just keeps going
primarily responsible for birthing song ideas
all three musical sections - "Sundowner,"
from strength to strength, prog-metal
but Sundowner also features valuable input
"Liminal/Subliminal" and "Dreameater" -
band The Alpha Incident are poised to
from guitarist Patrick Casey, bassist Ellery
flowed together as a cohesive 25-minute
follow-up recent singles "The Complex"
Cochrane and drummer Thomas VanBibber.
piece, it fell to Morrow to create an equally
and "The Program" - both of which built on
One thing remains constant, however: the
elaborate lyrical vision for the project. "We
the complexity of 2018's Convergence -
fantastic vocals of Mike Morrow. It all adds
convinced Mike to come up with a concept
with the brilliant Sundowner, an ambitious
up to AI's most varied and accomplished
for it," Wade explains. "He had a couple
multi-media project centered around a
work to date.
different ideas - he sent me a quick little
25-minute composition comprised of three
breakdown and I said, 'That's crazy, do it.' It
distinct sections. Limited attention spans be
Initially, the intention was to simply write
went crazy in-depth - the whole concept is
damned; AI aim to create thought-provoking
a 3-song EP. But as work on Sundowner
insane." While getting into the weeds of it
music that challenges listeners, a mission
progressed, Casey suggested stringing
all would simply take up too much space,
they've accomplished here in spades thanks
it all together - not the easiest of tasks
Morrow succinctly explains, "I wanted to do
to an ever-improving chemistry. This latest
considering the detailed music that AI
something that would inspire. If anything, for
offering - part one of which, the title track,
produces, especially in terms of atypical time
this setting you can basically visualize Dune -
should drop on September 2 - sees the
signatures and extensive use of polyrhythms.
it's very much like that world, a whole desert
band collaborating creatively more than
But VanBibber's mathematical skills, in
concept." He further notes that his earliest
ever with all five members contributing.
particular, came in handy - he's a wiz at
prog influence, Coheed & Cambria, "always
32 | AUGUST 2022
• www.evansvillemediagroup.com
