Discipline. - This One's For England (2014)

Discipline performs some of its better known progressive art rock epics on this 2-disc live recording. Discipline are an independent rock band from Detroit (not to be confused with the moniker that Robert Fripp used pre-Discipline with King Crimson). Since forming in 1987, the band (formed by lead singer and keybordist Matthew Parmenter) have performed and recorded together in a strictly DIY fashion via their indie label, Strung Out Records. The band's debut album, 1988's Chaos Out Of Order saw the band (with Parmenter and guitarist Jon Preston Bouda) laying down the foundation for the sound that would be at their peak with both their 1993 CD Push & Profit and 1997's Unfolded Like Staircase. These albums, with members Mathew Kennedy on bass and Paul Dzendzel on drums, reached an international audience, allowing the band to perform not only at many US-based progressive rock festivals but countries outside of the Northern Hemisphere as well, such as Norway. Discipline's now legendary live shows, however, were memorable for unusual theatrics, with lead singer Matthew Parmenter (a.k.a. the Magic Acid Mime) made-up in mime face and wearing different costumes for songs. Following the band's breakup in 2001, Parmenter began a solo career. Although Astray and Horror Express have hints of the old-school Discipline sound, they didn't capture the magic of the band format. After nearly ten years of silence, Discipline came back to perform at NEARfest 2008 (the Northeast Art Rock Festival). Discipline also performed at ROSfest 2012 (the Rites of Spring progressive rock festival in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania). With some songs from the old days still in the band's closet, the four piece decided to dust those tunes off along with some brand new songs. Released in October of 2011, To Shatter All Accord hints back to the band's most famous album, Unfolded Like Staircase. The 90's era tunes (Circuitry and When the Walls are Down) showcase the band's style but do so in a much more mature way. The three new songs (Dead City, When She Dreams She Dreams in Color, and Rogue) present not only Parmenter's Hammill-esque vocals but, perhaps even more so, the band's instrumental prowess. The band isn't interested in flashy solos; the song is the most important thing - not too much, not too little. There's not one band member who doesn't bring out the best in the others. Bouda's guitar playing enhances Kennedy's bass, which influences Dzendzel's drums, which only strengthens Parmenter's keyboards and vocals. For a band to return after 10+ years with an effort this strong is a rarity. To find a band firing on all cylinders, almost like they never broke up, is nothing short of amazing. To Shatter All Accord not only matches the band's previous effort, but with Parmenter's engineering skills improving substantially since Horror Express in 2008, this may be Discipline's greatest statement yet. New for 2014, Discipline has released its first full-length live recording This One's For England. Recorded live May 5, 2012 at the Majestic Theater in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (RoSfest 2012), This One's For England presents some of Discipline's best known progressive art rock epics in a 2-disc set.