River Disturbance

Description

River Disturbance is the sixth album by the American metal band Deliverance, released on Brainstorm Artists International in 1994, distributed by Diamante Music Group. The album was recorded by Gene Eugene of Adam Again fame and Terry Taylor of Daniel Amos fame at The Green Room in Huntington Beach, California; and was produced by Taylor for Stunt Productions (with band leader Jimmy P. Brown II). Mixed by Eugene at The Mixing Lab in Garden Grove, California. All songs arranged by Taylor and Brown.

Featuring Jimmy P. Brown II on lead and backing vocals as well as rhythm and lead guitars and keyboards, Jon Maddux on rhythm and lead guitars, and a rhythm section consisting of Manny Morales on bass (fretless and 5-string) with both Jeff Mason and Jon Knox providing drums and percussion.

River Disturbance (Collector’s Edition), Retroactive Records

The California band’s 1994 album finds itself remastered and featuring new artwork, with four bonus tracks added. Taking the prog-metal aspects to new heights, Jimmy Brown’s experimentation on this album garnered much critical acclaim back in the day, but other fans turned their back on this in droves. Nowadays, it actually sounds rather contemporary, with the current resurgence of prog-rock sound in the mainstream of metal. Featuring some of their very best tracks ever recorded, «Belltower» is still the standout tune. The remixed version of «Belltower» is also surprisingly enjoyable in an industrial, Deathstars manner. The songs, after remastering, sound excellent, allowing more of Jimmy’s fanatical experimentation to be audible, as evidenced on the weird and wonderful «Map» and the bombast of «After I Fell». This experimentation is something he covers on what is undoubtedly an excellent addition to this re-release: a spoken track of his thoughts and memories of recording this landmark Deliverance album. This re-release is one for the fans for sure, and if you never heard the original, check out this new version. [Christian Cunningham, Cross Rhythms, March 2009]

PROMO
River Disturbance (Legends Remastered)
Retroactive Records 2018, CD and 12-inch LP pressed on White Vinyl

Truly transcendent music is rare. Music that is incomparable, matchless, peerless, unrivaled, or inimitable is a very short list. Many artists strive for transcendence, but a precious few ever accomplish it. Starting out originally as a speed metal act with influences of Metallica and Slayer shining brightly, the band’s fourth album, Stay of Execution, signaled both change and growth in this epic metal band! This new sound was most noticeably embodied by vocalist Jimmy P. Brown II altering his vocal style singing much more like David Bowie and Saviour Machine’s Eric Clayton. The vocals fit the newer direction musically and with 1994’s River Disturbance, unleashed a new level of brilliance for Deliverance fans as they progressed into 1994 and beyond! A timeless album filled with haunting melodies and powerful metal music, River Disturbance ascended to new artistic heights. The title track is a tour de force of songwriting and arrangements. Melancholy and strong, with deeply introspective lyrical elements, River Disturbance is a prayer for inner peace with music that is melodic, dark, beautiful, and pummeling! The apex of this album is the 7+ minute almost Queen-like ballad, «You Still Smile». Dedicated to the wife of Jimmy P Brown II, this revealing look into the heart of an artist is powerful and beyond memorable. The piano elements (Gene Eugene) are rich and lush, which provide the stitching that holds this tapestry together. River Disturbance is THE quintessential mid-period Deliverance album. It’s progressive heavy metal, but much, much more. River Disturbance was transcendent in 1994, and it will remain transcendent in the decades ahead. This is Jimmy Brown’s Sgt. Pepper….his Operation Mindcrime…. his Ziggy Stardust! This is art of the highest order. Recorded by Gene Eugene (Adam Again) and produced by Terry Scott Taylor (DA) the band stretched themselves like never before and fans were richly rewarded! The 2018 Retroactive Records remastered (by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound) reissue is part of the Legends Remastered series and features enhanced original artwork, band photos, and lyrics. The CD is packaged in a jewel case with a 12 page insert, and the Vinyl comes with a 12” insert and WHITE Vinyl! Both CD and Vinyl are limited to just 500 units each!

The River Disturbance budget was over $100K…the largest budget Deliverance ever had, by far! / The band recorded 12 songs and 9 reels of 996 2 inch tape! «U Still Smile» had a choir of Jimmy with 15 vocal tracks for all the backing tracks! They had to be recorded separately and flown into two tracks stereo. / Gene Eugene played the epic piano track in only 2 takes! / The lyrics to «Breathing Still» won a national Poetry contest that same year. / The album River Disturbance generated over 1000 hate mail letters sent by fans of the thrash era of Deliverance! / «After I Fell» charted on CMJ for over 10 weeks! / Jimmy Brown co-produced the album with Terry Scott Taylor, and it would lead to him producing many more!

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/river-disturbance-legends-remastered/1434337575)

CD tracklist:

01. Belltown
02. After I Fell
03. River Disturbance
04. Now & Then
05. Speed Of Light
06. A Little Sleep (feat. 12th Tribe)
07. Map
08. You Still Smile
09. Breathing Still

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Brainstorm. Re-issued by Retroactive Records in both 2007 (CD) and 2018 (CD and 12-inch White Vinyl LP).

---

---