Jeff Kollman – East of Heaven (Album Review)

When it comes to impressive resumes in the world of guitar, Jeff Kollman is right up there with the best of them. Logging time alongside artists such as Alan Parsons, Glenn Hughes, and Phil Mogg, his talent has been able to shine with the brightest in the business. His notoriety stretches even further than these names alone, extending through his progressive rock band Cosmosquad and prior solo endeavors. To list his many accolades would be an exhaustive endeavor. The latest offering from the renowned guitarist is “East of Heaven,” an impressive instrumental opus formed in the midst of lockdown. 2020 was originally packed to the brim for Kollman, promising months on the road with extensive touring across multiple projects. Instead, “East of Heaven” was born – and the world of instrumental albums is better for it. 

Kollman abides by all of the principles of building not just a good instrumental album, but a good album in general. Far from an hour-long shred fest, the natural flow across tones and styles allows “East of Heaven” to build considerable personality while showing off Kollman’s well-honed talents. With temperate interludes such as “Loss” and “Homage to King Edward” breaking up the more energetic displays of musicianship, the overall album experience proves to be engaging with instruments alone. “East of Heaven” is a primarily guitar-centric album, but a gentle helping of bass and consistent interplay of percussion round out the experience to something with considerable body. 

While there are certainly intricate pieces which demand more of Kollman’s talents, straightforward rocker and lead single “Superstring Theory” remains one of the album’s standouts. It drives right to the heart of rock, channeling a number of Kollman’s influences over the years without losing the emotional momentum acquired from the moodier exploration of “The Mass Exodus.” Within the span of just a few minutes Kollman manages to carry the listener from turbulent waters to rock-radio melodies, just one of the many displays of his flexibility as an artist. Also in a brighter and evocative vein, though a touch more relaxed in its nuance, is the tranquility of “Montecatini Waltz.” In an animated yet subtle venture, Kollman calls on the imagery of sun-kissed rays as listeners bask in the blissful intention of every note. 

“So Long Ago” is another example of how Kollman can inject energy into even his more peaceful outings, allowing the bright flourishes of an acoustic guitar to carry the listener forward. This song feels particularly intimate, playing with sensations of both solitude and closeness with the instrumentalist. But for the truest depths of solitude, one needs to look no further than “Isolation 2020.” The melancholy delivered is exactly what is written on the label: Kollman manages to perfectly capture that pensive feeling of drifting through time, capturing uncertainty with a carefully paced guitar melody. Similarly eerie, though a touch more dynamic, is penultimate track “The Darkness Resides.” Again the practiced guitarist demands patience with his carefully crafted compositions, drawing listeners in through a slow-burning tale piqued with bursts of energy. A splendid display of songwriting and persistence placed perfectly near the album’s end, the touching “See You On The Other Side” closes out a brilliantly paced album. 

With “East of Heaven,” Kollman gives listeners a taste of his own sonic history while keeping the journey both engaging and enthralling. There is no shortage of talent in songwriting, be it the intrigue within each individual track of the well-balanced display of styles spread across the album as a whole. Varied track lengths help build bridges between different skills, marrying acoustic and electric alongside each other for a cohesive sonic showcase. And though Kollman mans both the guitar and bass, the talents of fellow musicians contributing on drums and keyboards allow the album to truly ascend to heavenly heights. Superb execution, crisp production, and an experienced artist’s vision leave no stone unturned, and give Kollman another gem to his discography. 

Released By: Marmaduke Records
Release Date: May 21st, 2021
Genre: Instrumental Rock

Musicians:

• Jeff Kollman / Guitar, Bass
• Shane Gaalaas / Drums
• Jono Brown / Drums,
• Paul Shihadeh / Bass
• Guy Allison / Keyboards

“East of Heaven” Track-listing:

1. Loss
2. The Mass Exodus
3. Homage To King Edward
4. Superstring Theory
5. Ghostly
6. Insomnia
7. 67 XR-7
8. Montecatini Waltz
9. Isolation 2020
10. East of Heaven
11. So Long Ago
12. Hidden Dimensions
13. The Darkness Resides
14. See You On The Other Side