POWERMAD '99 Report By Larry Daglieri and Joe Kruger     .......Todd Rose was definitely the best metal guitarist present. I'd probably even consider him one of the top 5 guitarists in progressive metal right now. He is incredibly versatile - he's fantastic at shred, fantastic at rhythm, and always play the appropriate solos without wanking out. The new material contains a lot of stuff that is wah-ed stuff done right (to my liking). It sounds more like progressive metal than rock, but doesn't rely on excess dt-clonage. They have their own unique sound. Overall - great musicians & vocalists, fantastic stage show, and superb writing. I already have all their stuff, except for the new stuff that hasn't arrived in the mail yet (hint hint). ......These are serious musicians, and when you have a Todd Rose in the band, it's hard not to be recognized. Todd is absolutely one of the best guitarists I've ever seen, period. The guy plays a style different from most in which he uses his leads as rhythm. His humble personality and friendly approach to fans make him one of the best examples of a musician ever. Thorne can be dramatic, as showcased at this show, but the guy can work a crowd and play like no other front man can. Hey, about the hat, I called him and asked him to bring it to the show and he said "absolutely" ....... There is no mistaking his unique vocal approach either. With a massive bottom end behind them, the band just smokes the stage from top to bottom, and let me just say for the record, that Soundscape has played all 3 Powermad shows, and have the distinct honor of having the crowd yell "MORE" at all 3 shows, even bringing them back for an encore last year. When they are able to transfer this massive, thunderous energy to a disc in the future, the band will make a serious dent in the music world. POWERMAD '99 Three Days of Peace, Prog and Power Metal By Christina Ricciardi     SOUNDSCAPE is, without a doubt, one of the best live bands I've ever seen, with well-written songs and awesome stage presence. They're a full-blown, over-the-top progressive outfit, incorporating complex instrumental sections and four-part vocal harmonies into their music with an ease a lot of other bands can only dream of. Vocalist/keyboardist Rob Thorne dragged everyone along on a maniacally emotional rollercoaster ride, while guitarist Todd Rose made jaws drop. Todd's playing was so good, in fact, people couldn't talk about it enough. Mike Blevins of Division remarked, "I consider PowerMad to be my annual Todd Rose guitar clinic." Mention it to Todd, however, and the maestro will blush and simply say, "Aww.... Thank you!!" One important thing that has to be mentioned about Soundscape, though, is their interplay with both the crowd and each other. In a genre where musicians take themselves too seriously at times, it's nice to see a technically proficient band that isn't afraid to get up onto the stage and have fun while blowing minds. The Big Bang Progressive Rock and Heavy Metal Showcase Benefiting the Eric Carr Fund at St. Jude's Words: YPP     Danbury's own Soundscape finally got the crowd to its feet and dancing with an interesting and lively brand of progressive rock, drawing upon the foundation laid down by bands like Yes and Gentle Giant. Their thick layers of four-part vocal harmonies brought to mind the rich textures of "Fragile" as well as the instrumental virtuosity presented on other Yes albums like "Close to the Edge." Clearly playing to a home-town crowd, this band worked their amazing connection to their audience with solid pop-inspired hooks and uplifting choruses. Guitar god Todd Rose possesses a level of dexterity and fluidity that is simply mind-boggling, and his interplay with keyboardist/vocalist Rob Thorne (decked out in a Cat in the Hat hat - Imagine that!) was at a level not seen since Beck and Hammer wrote the Bible on jazz fusion. Their performance was full of energy and without any sense of posturing; it was all honest and straight from the heart. This approach doesn't seem to work with many of today's bands, so it was good to see a band that wasn't afraid to enjoy themselves onstage and let everyone know about it.