Holding Pattern

HOLDING PATTERN- “BREAKING THE SILENCE”- Surveillance Records 2008

The focus is on prime mover and musical brainchild Tony Spada, his guitarwork, from howling to propulsive riffs and lots of fiery guitar solos, loaded with biting and blistering runs like in the title track (also featuring a sparkling synthesizer solo with lush Mellotron), Fishbulb, Once As One, Out The Other and Blaster (catchy rhythm and great interplay). A very good composition is the long and alternating Back To The Tunnels delivering a beautiful part with twanging acoustic guitar and piano and a flashy synthesizer solo, accompanied by propulsvie guitar riffs and powerful drums. But my highlight is the final song Honor Before Glory (live Tokyo 2005): a dreamy first part with Mellotron and sensitive electric guitar play , then a compelling atmosphere with a great build-up guitar solo with many howling runs, goose bumps! I am sure it will please many progheads who like more dynamic and bombastic progrock with lots of strong guitarwork.The album also features a live bonus track from their performance at Tokyo’s Poseidon Festival 2005 and cover art by GENESIS album artist Paul Whitehead-Progwalhalla –The Netherlands
________________________________________________________________________
This is a refreshing instrumental amalgam of sounds that at times evokes Happy The Man, The Dregs, and Genesis - often within the same song! 2007 was not a banner year for progressive rock. In the last days of the year it's nice to see these guys reunite and give the genre a kick in the butt. For nostaglia's sake the band enlisted noted artist Paul
Whitehead to create the cover art. Highly recommended.-Ken Golden-The Laser’s Edge
________________________________________________________________________
Superb 2007 release by Connecticut's Holding Pattern. Musically this is even superior to their excellent debut nearly a quarter century earlier! "Breaking the Silence" is a very symphonic and satisfying instrumental prog album that really delivers the goods.
The guitar work of Tony Spada is the highlight but the entire band is quite amazing. But mostly this is a mature and highly original work by seasoned musicians at the height of their creative powers - and Tony's guitarwork on both acoustic & electric is second to none. If you enjoy instrumental progressive rock with beautiful melodies & inventive solos then this is certainly for you! –ZNR
________________________________________________________________________
Comeback album from this very good instrumental prog act lead by guitarist Tony Spada.
Melodic and inventive.- Progress Records-Sweden
____________________________________________________________________
This is a fabulous album,with all the trademarks of a little instrumental masterpiece! Tony Spada delivers,once again superb six string play and amazing technique-T.Larz

Breaking the Silence is the 2007 reunion album from Connecticut's legendary prog band Holding Pattern. After a strong debut album back in 1981 and plenty of touring, the band called it a day in the early 90's, with guitarist Tony Spada carrying the torch through a string of excellent solo albums. With Breaking the Silence, many of the trademark Holding Pattern sounds are in place, although greatly updated. Spada's guitarwork is front and center, and his lyrical, Steve Morse-ish chops dazzle throughout this release. As far as instrumental prog albums go, you really can't go wrong here. Songs like the majestic & melodic title track, the rip-snorting guitar/keyboard interplay of "Fishbulb", Spada's amazing solos on "Once As One", the complex "Out the Other", the atmospheric & dramatic "Like Waves”, and the Mellotron heavy "Honor Before Glory", all are just a joy to listen to. It's not often that instrumental albums work wonders as far as chops and memorable hooks go, but this one combines the two quite well together. If you buy into any prog reunion albums this year, along with the new release from New York's Cathedral, this one's a no brainer. And yes, that's cover art from Paul Whitehead, in case you were wondering. Peter Pardo-Sea of Tranquility

Breaking The Silence contains a series of mostly bright and shiny tracks that are joyous and energetic. This is an all instrumental affair that puts the guitar at the forefront, and has a sound that is seasoned with a touch of classic Kansas, but more so just a hint of a mid-western feel. In fact, other than the Beatles' reference, most any other references are fleeting at best - a hint here, a happenstance memory there… The arrangements are dense, filled with a lot of movement, whether its drums, percussion, bass, keyboards or the guitar… there's always something happening. "Fishbulb" races along, almost breathlessly. It only slows down marginally for a darker, throatier section filled with trumpeting Mellotron (although - various magazines and distributors

HOLDING PATTERN- “BREAKING THE SILENCE”- Surveillance Records 2008

The focus is on prime mover and musical brainchild Tony Spada, his guitarwork, from howling to propulsive riffs and lots of fiery guitar solos, loaded with biting and blistering runs like in the title track (also featuring a sparkling synthesizer solo with lush Mellotron), Fishbulb, Once As One, Out The Other and Blaster (catchy rhythm and great interplay). A very good composition is the long and alternating Back To The Tunnels delivering a beautiful part with twanging acoustic guitar and piano and a flashy synthesizer solo, accompanied by propulsvie guitar riffs and powerful drums. But my highlight is the final song Honor Before Glory (live Tokyo 2005): a dreamy first part with Mellotron and sensitive electric guitar play , then a compelling atmosphere with a great build-up guitar solo with many howling runs, goose bumps! I am sure it will please many progheads who like more dynamic and bombastic progrock with lots of strong guitarwork.The album also features a live bonus track from their performance at Tokyo’s Poseidon Festival 2005 and cover art by GENESIS album artist Paul Whitehead-Progwalhalla –The Netherlands
________________________________________________________________________
This is a refreshing instrumental amalgam of sounds that at times evokes Happy The Man, The Dregs, and Genesis - often within the same song! 2007 was not a banner year for progressive rock. In the last days of the year it's nice to see these guys reunite and give the genre a kick in the butt. For nostaglia's sake the band enlisted noted artist Paul
Whitehead to create the cover art. Highly recommended.-Ken Golden-The Laser’s Edge
________________________________________________________________________
Superb 2007 release by Connecticut's Holding Pattern. Musically this is even superior to their excellent debut nearly a quarter century earlier! "Breaking the Silence" is a very symphonic and satisfying instrumental prog album that really delivers the goods.
The guitar work of Tony Spada is the highlight but the entire band is quite amazing. But mostly this is a mature and highly original work by seasoned musicians at the height of their creative powers - and Tony's guitarwork on both acoustic & electric is second to none. If you enjoy instrumental progressive rock with beautiful melodies & inventive solos then this is certainly for you! –ZNR
________________________________________________________________________
Comeback album from this very good instrumental prog act lead by guitarist Tony Spada.
Melodic and inventive.- Progress Records-Sweden
____________________________________________________________________
This is a fabulous album,with all the trademarks of a little instrumental masterpiece! Tony Spada delivers,once again superb six string play and amazing technique-T.Larz

Breaking the Silence is the 2007 reunion album from Connecticut's legendary prog band Holding Pattern. After a strong debut album back in 1981 and plenty of touring, the band called it a day in the early 90's, with guitarist Tony Spada carrying the torch through a string of excellent solo albums. With Breaking the Silence, many of the trademark Holding Pattern sounds are in place, although greatly updated. Spada's guitarwork is front and center, and his lyrical, Steve Morse-ish chops dazzle throughout this release. As far as instrumental prog albums go, you really can't go wrong here. Songs like the majestic & melodic title track, the rip-snorting guitar/keyboard interplay of "Fishbulb", Spada's amazing solos on "Once As One", the complex "Out the Other", the atmospheric & dramatic "Like Waves”, and the Mellotron heavy "Honor Before Glory", all are just a joy to listen to. It's not often that instrumental albums work wonders as far as chops and memorable hooks go, but this one combines the two quite well together. If you buy into any prog reunion albums this year, along with the new release from New York's Cathedral, this one's a no brainer. And yes, that's cover art from Paul Whitehead, in case you were wondering. Peter Pardo-Sea of Tranquility

Breaking The Silence contains a series of mostly bright and shiny tracks that are joyous and energetic. This is an all instrumental affair that puts the guitar at the forefront, and has a sound that is seasoned with a touch of classic Kansas, but more so just a hint of a mid-western feel. In fact, other than the Beatles' reference, most any other references are fleeting at best - a hint here, a happenstance memory there… The arrangements are dense, filled with a lot of movement, whether its drums, percussion, bass, keyboards or the guitar… there's always something happening. "Fishbulb" races along, almost breathlessly. It only slows down marginally for a darker, throatier section filled with trumpeting Mellotron (although - various magazines and distributors

HOLDING PATTERN "Holding pattern" (1981)

The interest for progressive rock had, at the time for the release of Holding Pattern's debut album, hit rock bottom and me myself was more into classic symphony music, jazz and the wave of new British alternative rock (Japan, Comsat Angels etc) so it's not that strange that I and many others never heard this one before.
Fortunately we now have the opportunity to enjoy this very fine album, since a couple of years released on CD. This is nothing less than a stunning album containing top notch instrumental progressive rock basically based on a rather unique, distinct style with occasional hints of Steve Hackett, Brand X and perhaps also a small amount of Gentle Giant thrown in for good measure.
All mixed into something fresh. Holding Pattern was four skilled musicians who put their energy into the essence of the songs based on great song writing (mostly written by guitarist Tony Spada) and a great sense for melodies mixed with occasional, minor show-offs.
I am now listening to it for the fifth day in a row and it still creates a very nice impact on me. Play time is only about 28 minutes, but don't let that scare you, it is nicely mid priced and the 28 minutes we get is brilliant and, in fact, allows repeated listening without getting tiring. A jewel!

Reviewed by Hansi Cross

- Hansi Cross-Progress Records/Sweden

HOLDING PATTERN "Holding pattern" (1981)

The interest for progressive rock had, at the time for the release of Holding Pattern's debut album, hit rock bottom and me myself was more into classic symphony music, jazz and the wave of new British alternative rock (Japan, Comsat Angels etc) so it's not that strange that I and many others never heard this one before.
Fortunately we now have the opportunity to enjoy this very fine album, since a couple of years released on CD. This is nothing less than a stunning album containing top notch instrumental progressive rock basically based on a rather unique, distinct style with occasional hints of Steve Hackett, Brand X and perhaps also a small amount of Gentle Giant thrown in for good measure.
All mixed into something fresh. Holding Pattern was four skilled musicians who put their energy into the essence of the songs based on great song writing (mostly written by guitarist Tony Spada) and a great sense for melodies mixed with occasional, minor show-offs.
I am now listening to it for the fifth day in a row and it still creates a very nice impact on me. Play time is only about 28 minutes, but don't let that scare you, it is nicely mid priced and the 28 minutes we get is brilliant and, in fact, allows repeated listening without getting tiring. A jewel!

Reviewed by Hansi Cross

- Hansi Cross-Progress Records/Sweden

TONY SPADA
The Human Element
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"Tony Spada has come up with an extremely strong solo disc that might just be the guitar album of the year.
Some of you might be familiar with his 1980’s progressive band, Holding Pattern, or his prior solo album,
Balance of Power, recorded in 1993. This time around Spada teams up with talented bassist Tony Castellano
(who also adds keyboards to many of the 11 tracks) and drummer Rob Gottfried for a smoking set.
Spada draws inspiration from Steve Morse, and the album’s only non-original is a cover of Morse’s tune,
“Sleaze Factor”. There are also echoes of Steve Hackett and Steve Howe in places, but Spada’s melodic sense
differentiates his playing from his influences. The return of Tony Spada is a very welcome event, and it
serves to whet our appetites for the upcoming new disc and tour from the re-formed Holding Pattern."
EXPOSÉ MAGAZINE/David Ashcraft/U.S.

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"This is a very enjoyable album which will appeal to all fans of prog and especially guitar-led enthusiasts"
HAIRLESS HEART HERALD/Jem Jedrzejewski/England

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Tony Spada is best known for being the creative force and one of the founding members of the
American progressive rock group Holding Pattern. Now he is back, with a new fantastic album, and a
heavily orchestrated work, including sophisticated musical arrangements, with an incredible guitar sound.
The Human Element contains of eleven tracks of pure delight. In my opinion, a brilliant and indispensable work
that come highly recommended"
PROGRESSIVE ROCK BR/Carlos Vaz/ Brazil

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"…and not to mention the sensitive and melodic Mile High (which gives me goose bumps) and
Destination home, which in a pleasant way reminds me of one of my favourite guitarists, STEVE VAI.
I most warmly recommend this ear pleasing album to friends of crafty guitar music."
ROCK AND METAL HEAVEN/Sonny1968/Germany

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
- various magazines and distributors

TONY SPADA
The Human Element
------------------------------------------------------------------------



------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Tony Spada has come up with an extremely strong solo disc that might just be the guitar album of the year.
Some of you might be familiar with his 1980’s progressive band, Holding Pattern, or his prior solo album,
Balance of Power, recorded in 1993. This time around Spada teams up with talented bassist Tony Castellano
(who also adds keyboards to many of the 11 tracks) and drummer Rob Gottfried for a smoking set.
Spada draws inspiration from Steve Morse, and the album’s only non-original is a cover of Morse’s tune,
“Sleaze Factor”. There are also echoes of Steve Hackett and Steve Howe in places, but Spada’s melodic sense
differentiates his playing from his influences. The return of Tony Spada is a very welcome event, and it
serves to whet our appetites for the upcoming new disc and tour from the re-formed Holding Pattern."
EXPOSÉ MAGAZINE/David Ashcraft/U.S.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

"This is a very enjoyable album which will appeal to all fans of prog and especially guitar-led enthusiasts"
HAIRLESS HEART HERALD/Jem Jedrzejewski/England

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Tony Spada is best known for being the creative force and one of the founding members of the
American progressive rock group Holding Pattern. Now he is back, with a new fantastic album, and a
heavily orchestrated work, including sophisticated musical arrangements, with an incredible guitar sound.
The Human Element contains of eleven tracks of pure delight. In my opinion, a brilliant and indispensable work
that come highly recommended"
PROGRESSIVE ROCK BR/Carlos Vaz/ Brazil

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

"…and not to mention the sensitive and melodic Mile High (which gives me goose bumps) and
Destination home, which in a pleasant way reminds me of one of my favourite guitarists, STEVE VAI.
I most warmly recommend this ear pleasing album to friends of crafty guitar music."
ROCK AND METAL HEAVEN/Sonny1968/Germany

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
- various magazines and distributors