The Collins / Wardingham Project

The Collins / Wardingham Project - Interactive - 2006 - Enigmatic Records

"Truly one of the best fusion albums I have ever heard. 10/10" - dprp.net

"First class stuff all the way" - prognosis.com

"Planet X finally has some competition" - seaoftranquility.org

This is one CD I think a lot of people probably wouldn't be aware of and especially if your a fan of prog-fusion you are missing out on some great music. I picked up a copy a while ago and was thinking that our readers here at Sea Of Tranquility should really be aware of it as it really is that good. If Planet X and On The Virg are your thing this is sure to impress. Like Virgil Donati, Grant Collins, who is also Australian, is an accomplished drummer whose high level of independence and skill behind the drums has to be seen to be believed. On this release he has teamed up with Paul Wardingham who handles both guitar and keyboard duties like a true master. There is a complex mix of prog-fusion on Interactive with touches of jazz and world music. There are also quite a lot of heavier moments on here like the tracks "Attack Of The Necromongers" and "Bionic Zit Xpander"... what cool song titles! I love the one of many impressive moments on this CD when Grant plays along at the 6.18 minute mark virtually soloing over the top on the opening and title track "Interactive". Though we all hear many albums where musicians are highly skilled at their craft, but it's so complex the songs gets lost so what's the point?. That isn't the case here on Interactive and there is plenty of diversity and surprises to hold you attention while being amazed at Grant and Paul's ability. Planet X finally has has some competition with the Collins/Wardingham Project. Review by & © Scott Jessup ****1/2 August 15th 2008 © 2004 Sea Of Tranquility http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=6679

As an enthusiastic fusion fan, I have diligently followed the artists that have not only helped define the genre, but also have tried to stay on top of some of the hotter players on the modern scene as well, and while the golden era was where some of the very best was born, certainly some very impressive music has been developed by modern era musicians that were hugely inspired by the pioneers of jazz/rock. I have become a big fan of the band Planet X, and before them, drummer Virgil Donati released a most excellent fusion cd called On The Virg - Serious Young Insects, he featured some of Australia's premier music talent on that cd, I have always hoped that we would get another chance to hear an additional OTV cd, but with Donati now a full time PX member, well, it's just as good. 2006 was the year we anxiously expected to hear a new PX, but issues with the recording process have delayed it, yet, here I am listening to this band, also from Australia, The Collins/Wardingham Project, and I am astounded at what I am hearing, in fact, take all my commentaries about PX and OTV and simply add this disc right along next to them. I have honestly never heard of either of Dave Collins the drummer or Paul Wardingham the gutiarist. Yet both are seriously skilled musicians that have taken the time to create a cd that offers up some of the finest modern fusion I have had the pleasure of hearing since, well, the last Planet X cd. Simply put, this cd is just that good, and these guys are equal to the task, both have world class chops, and prove that they can go beyond pure riff based music to create complexity and intricate music at the same level as both OTV or PX. There have been a lot of artists taking a try at mixing the elements of jazzrock and metal, and the results seem to favor the combining of skill level and composing, we have heard the LTE cds, OTV, PX, and other artists such as Counter World Experience, 7 for 4 both from Germany, all are great bands for this small genre, and while it's a small handful of bands that are able to do this music with the necessary ingredients, count The Collins/Wardingham Project as one that fits the company of these artists perfectly as a welcome addition. Dave Collings is the bands drummer, he has that kind of inventive flare that feeds this music, able to utilize odd time signatures, mutated polyrhythms, and creative fills, this music requires a monster player to make it work, and he serves the role to perfection, no doubt he is a drummer who is on the verge of being discovered with his performance on this recording, no pun intended. Guitarist Paul Wardingham, originally from the UK, now residing in Australia, compliments Collins' drum talents with precision technique and a mastering of tones, modes and technical brilliance. Both these musicians will certainly make a solid impression on any fans of the artists mentioned in this review, and the sound of the band is not limited to guitar and drums, there is plenty of bass and keyboards, in fact, if you enjoyed the tonal elements that Derek Sherinian injects into his PX band, a similar keyboard vibe is ever present with The C/W Project. No need to attempt to expound any further, this is first class stuff all the way, if you are in any way intrigued at the description of this band, make a believer of yourself by clicking the Myspace link and hearing for yourselves, better yet, purchase the cd while your at it, you will not be disappointed. - Review by & © MJBrady © ProGGnosis 2000 - 2014 where appropriate - All rights reserved. http://www.proggnosis.com/Release_Detail.aspx?RID=21463

Good all instrumental album of progressive metal jazz fusion with Grant Collins on drums and Paul Wardingham on keys and guitars. The music is reminiscent of artists like Derek Sherinian, Planet X, LTE, or On the Virg. The musicianship is of the highest calibre with especially good keyboard arrangements and marvellous drumming. Paul Wardingham’s guitar playing has been compared to that of Allen Holdsworth, but what guitar fusion player has not been compared to Holdsworth? Anyway, that’s a minor point. The technical skills and compositional skills of these guys are worthy of great praise, and the album is HR by A.O.O.F.C. Listen to Paul Wardingham’s great “Assimilate Regenerate” album and Grant Collins' "Dogboy" album. Read an interview with Paul @ http://www.progmetalzone.com/2012/paul-wardingham-interview/ For similar music, listen to Christian Muenzner’s ‘Timewarp’ album [All tracks @ 320 Kbps: File size = 124 Mb]

TRACKS

1. Interactive 9:12
2. Attack of the Necromongers 9:05
3. Borg Code 6:03
4. Carnival on Mars 3:33
5. Bionic Prelude 1:06
6. Bionic Zit Xpander 5:48
7. Metamorphosis 4:49
8. Brain T’s 5:43
9. Plasma Vortex 9:11

All tracks composed by Wardingham / Collins

MUSICIANS

Paul Wardingham - Guitars & Synths
Grant Collins - Drums

ABOUT PAUL WARDINGHAM

Australian based guitarist and producer Paul Wardingham, released his critically acclaimed debut solo instrumental album, "Assimilate Regenerate", on February 21st 2011 through Enigmatic Records. Described as "Instrumental Cyber Metal", Wardingham’s style combines 7-string mechanical metal grooves, melodic choruses, industrial synths and other-worldly technical solos, reminicent of artists such as Steve Vai, Devin Townsend, Scar Symmetry, Fear Factory and Meshuggah. In less than a year, Wardingham has quickly gained a legion of fans from all over the world and received praise from guitar legends Dino Cazares (Fear Factory and Divine Heresy) and Jeff Loomis (Nevermore) among others, for his awe-inspiring guitar work, impressive compositions and production. Wardingham’s guitar concepts were showcased on the leading website GuitarMessenger.com in his featured video lesson, "Future Metal Shred". Wardingham also appeared on Universum's latest album "Mortuus Machina", contributing a guest solo on the track "Aeon Displacement”. The album also featured vocalists Christian Alvestam (Scar Symmetry, Solution .45), Tommy Tuovinen (myGRAIN), guitarists Tomy Laisto (Mors Principium Est), Marios Iliopoulos and Olof Morck (Nightrage). In 2006, The Collins/Wardingham Project, a collaboration with Australian drum phenomenon Grant Collins, released their progressive metal fusion album ‘Interactive’ through Enigmatic Records. Paul is currently working on a follow up album titled 'The Human Affliction', scheduled for release mid – 2013 © 2011 Enigmatic Records http://www.paulwardingham.com/bio

ABOUT GRANT COLLINS

Grant is one of the forerunners in the industry, forever pushing the limits and confines of music and leading cutting edge, creative and unconventional drumming. His approach defies stereotypical drum set methodologies with his innovative and enthralling solo drum set compositions. He uses all four limbs both individually and as a collective to present multi-timbral sound scapes, defining the drum set as a contemporary solo instrument for the world stage. Through his determination, Grant has developed powerful and modern drum set solo performances, which have captivated audiences not only in Australia, but around the world. Grant’s vivacious and dynamic one man show is a reflection of his infatuation with the drums, which has seen him tour and perform as an international artist at many concert halls across the globe. Not only does Grant attack the boundaries of a solo performer, he also pushes the restrictions of his instrument to create ground-breaking ingenious works. Grant’s sell out performances have also been trumped with feature presentations on countless radio stations and television programmes. These high accolades have also been received for Grant’s DVD Live @ The Tivoli – The Official Bootleg and his CD’s Primal Instinct and Dogboy, for which he has received exceptional reviews from around the world. © Grant Collins: 2011 http://www.grantcollins.com/Bio.html