Available CDs
  

In order to bring greater exposure to its artists, Fossil Records has compiled 50 minutes worth of Instrumental rock and metal music from its catalog of independent musicians.  All of the AXcavation releases will be "Radio Ready" and "Retail Ready."  This means that all of the CDs can be played without hesitation by radio stations (no foul language, times listed on the tray card, full normalization of tracks, and Red Book format) and can also be sold by retailers (UPC symbol imprinted on tray card).  For more information, please contact Fossil Records.

AXcavation I

"Keeping the spirit of progressive instrumental guitar-based music burning brightly, the recent CD compilation from Illinois-based Fossil Records introduces music fans to some outstanding, trailblazing guitarists. Already established among fans of the genre, names like Goocher, Alien Cowboys and Denis Taaffe are represented here alongside like-minded artists such as Rod Laschanzky, The Franklin-Neumann Project and Project Alcazar to name a few of the 14 artists here. AXcavation, subtitled Fossil Records Instrumental Compilation 1, goes a long way to giving these rising guitar heroes some well-deserved exposure. Musically, AXcavation has little to do with New Age, scorching heavy metal, smooth jazz or mainstream jazz. Instead the 14 track CD focuses on superb, progressive melodic guitar soundscapes. AXcavation is a picturesque, thinking mans approach to instrumental rock - music in search of a scenic backdrop. The one thing all these like-minded guitar-based artists and groups have in common is a passion for their guitar-driven instrumentals to really be listened to and above all, to be taken seriously. With that in mind, AXcavation succeeds beyond all expectations. Fans of 21st Century instrumental electric guitar music owe it to themselves to hear AXcavation." - Music Web Express

"Gather together the artists from the Fossil Records music label, and put together a compilation of fourteen inspiring instrumental rock and metal music tracks clocking in at 50 minutes.  What do you have? An album that showcases Fossil Records independent musicians and an album that says we are for real. Believe me, this is an album that gives the skeptic an opportunity to judge what Fossil Records has to offer. This album will definitely have you running back to Fossil Records to buy the independent artist full-featured albums.

The album starts with the upbeat intro Jeffrey Ryan Smoots. Its just the kind of track you need to get this album jumpstarted. Featuring inspiring guitar licks that have a funky groove to it.

Project Alcazar tags in with “TranceMission” from the album “Reasons For A Decade” it’s a great follow up to JRS and a killer track featuring good drumming and great keyboards. Progressive rock lovers should love this album.

Next up Inner Resonance serves up “Wanderlust” from the album “Solar Voices” an outstanding instrumental featuring Jeffrey Ryan Smoots guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums and Peter Orullian vocals and keyboards; together these guys make a hell of a lot of noise on this track. If you didn’t know any better, you would think it was five guys jamming in this band.

Next to chime in on track four, is Goocher, with “Gut” from the album "Germinate". This pleasant little progressive rock, fusion, jazz, groove number starts out slow but then builds up into a rhythmic funk attack that just beckons the listener to get into the swing of this tune. Lance E. Zechinato plays a mean bass and if the rest of Germinate sounds this good, I think I’m going to go out and buy it! 

Ecstasy In Number cruises in next with “Cruisin” from the album SpellBound, trust me if you want to be anywhere when you hear this song, just drive your car out on a beautiful country road and turn up the music. Crusin fits this title to the T.

Endangered Species chimes in with “Le Passage” from their debut album "Colours Among The Blind". This is a nice acoustic piece that settles in well within this album.

The next number on the disc “The Land of Near and Far”, offered up by Rod Laschanzky from the album "Martell Road". This particular track has a very cool guitar sound and a southern tinged feel about it.  Reminded me a little of the guitar chops of Jo Satriani’s work.

Following up on track eight is Charles Brown featuring “Blackjack” from the album "Mystics". This particular track showcases the heavier side of Charles Brown, trust me when you get a Charles Brown album, you get everything from acoustic guitar work, classical, to new age, world music and shredding heavy metal.

On the next track Cerafim features “Stress” from their debut album “Cerafim”. This is a superb instrumental featuring a tight rhythm section with plenty of keyboards and guitar work – this is as good as they come.

Grabbing the baton on track ten is The Franklin-Neumann Project with “Countdown”, from their debut album “Machinery Of The Gods”. This is a shuffling little prog rocker instrumental that’s right in your face guitar driven music.  This is one of my favorite tracks off this compilation album.

Featured next is Alien Cowboys with “East West”, from the debut album “Alien Cowboys”. This mainstream rock instrumental feature a Fishman-powered Gibson flat-top played by Lead guitarist Ralph Perucci.  This is a tight up-tempo arrangement that would even make the California Guitar Trio salivate.  I don’t have the album but I have to get my hands on it.

Stepping up next is Denis Taaffe with “Winter Passage” from the album "Abducted By Aliens". A musically interesting track, which flows with the ever-present guitar lead, which happens to be a very smooth piece that’s very nice to listen to. They could sell this track to Joe Satriani and watch him salivate.

We get back to track thirteen in a big way Singularity hails us with “Mars Direct” from the album "Color Of Space". A good quality progressive rock instrumental.

Last but not least is Reindal on “Timewarp Finale” from the album "The Dominant Theme". Reindel is a quality progressive act from Ohio, featuring brothers Jim and Tim Reindel.  Here lays another of my favorite tracks on the album. Its good, and very infectious, it’s on the cutting edge of progressive rock. Too bad it’s only clocks in at 2:59 min.

In sum, the main inspiration of the making of this album was to get you, the consumer, connected to Fossil Records and what better way to do it but thru a solid slab of good instrumental music from their various artists. My recommendation is to purchase this album and get tuned in on some of the best underground instrumental rock your going to find within one label. All the songs shine on this album, so don’t get cheap on Fossil Records, make sure you buy it!
So what are you waiting for? Go get it!" - George Roldan, Prog4You.com

AXcavation II