Bolus

I had the pleasure of seeing them live at ROSFest 2013. They completely blew the crowd and I away. So after the show I bought this album and met with them. Incredibly nice guys, they even signed it for me.

The album its self is a mix of many things. This isn't the pretentious type of prog. It is very down to earth, like the band themselves. Tracks range from heavy to soft with the playing being top notch the whole way through. So if you got the itch to find new music, check these guys out. In short, it is a beautiful mix of genres that will definitely satisfy your ears - GorillaMunch on ProgArchives.com

Every once in awhile you take a chance on a totally unknown band (to me at least) and you get lucky. This recording by a young band from Ontario just knocked my socks off. A two-person band (since this recording they are now a true, touring and recording four-piece), they sound like, well, like a full band. Nick Karch plays all guitars, bass and keyboards while Mat Keselman handles drums, percussion and flute. They both do beautiful harmony vocals, with Nick doing most of the leads. And they are both totally involved with the writing and arrangements (with contributions from past bassist Richard Frankel). So what do they sound like?

Bolus has taken many influences to heart, but does not sound like copies of anyone. The opening track, “Those Who Saved Us” has a real Rush vibe; “Outside” follows with a gentler song that reminds me of Genesis around Selling England by the Pound complete with lovely flute. “Instructions” would fit nicely in with Ambrosia’s Somewhere I’ve Never Travelled” with some heavier elements but not Metal).

Karch plays intense guitar throughout the tracks, matching runs on his keyboards. They also have a lot of Kansas influences as well that pop up here and there, especially with the vocals. Keselman is my favourite kind of drummer: he stays busy; often putting in little fills and rolls that keep the beat interesting. Track four, “Postman”, has a real funky feel in a Steely Dan sort of way, and they show their total versatility playing in jazzy meters. Track five, Push to Exit, begins with mellotron-sounding chords that could have been at the Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour sessions and the track turns into something that could be on Phil Collins’ Face to Face.

So in essence, you can see that in one album they cover all the music you can really love – great instrumental passages, Pop choruses (and they know good hooks), harmony vocals, changes in time signatures, stunning technical playing and music that makes you want to listen – accessible, interesting, thoughtful and just plain great. There are 11 tracks in total, and most are between six and eight minutes with only two shorter tracks.

Their web site is a hoot – the video section is really cool. There is a “making of” documentary that includes interviews and some band history as well. They also have two video surprises – their takes on Coldplay’s “Princess of China” and Katy Perry’s “ET” – imagine that! They are full of surprises, just like you can hear on their album. You can also order their CDs from their website (including their previous CD which I also highly recommend). Bolus has been around since the early 2000s, but I think they are on the verge of coming into the spotlight. Have a listen at their site and see if you don’t agree.

I can’t recommend Delayed Reaction enough – watch for the signs!

Release Date: November 16, 2010 - Musictap

Canadian Music Week is a nerve- and excitement-filled week for hundreds of up and coming Canadian artists, as all across Toronto venues are filled with musicians, fans, and industry scouts. Bolus, a Toronto-based progressive rock band, performed Saturday night at the Opera House, a spectacular show that had heads bobbing through their set and drew a crowd to the band’s merchandise table by the end of the night.



Bolus released their second studio album, Delayed Reaction, in November 2010 and have since been promoting the album and breaking into the prog music scene. They have received recognition overseas for their new album, including a review on Germany’s FFM-Rock. Closer to home, a band feature was published in Fanshawe College’s Bandwidth newsletter, which raves about the album’s impeccable engineering and production. The album was four years in the making, but Bandwidth’s review says it was well worth the wait: “The end result is an album that sounds like it was recorded with a budget containing many more 0 columns than what they actually had.”



The album is indeed perfectly polished and rife with meticulous precision, and the band’s live performance was no different. The band members fed off of each others’ energies and the show was tight, crisp, and endlessly captivating. Vocalist and guitarist Nick Karch commanded the stage wearing an animal toque and with a stuffed horse strapped to his mic stand - his voice rang clear and commanding through the venue, and his immaculate guitar solos seemed effortless. Mat Keselman drove the set with his passionate and dramatic drumming, supported Karch’s singing with his own compelling vocals and, at one point, stood at his drum set to play the flute. Keyboardist Kyle Grounds played on two keyboards and added his voice to the mix on background vocals. Karch on his own managed to sound like three singers at once - when Keselman and Grounds joined him, the stunning vocal melodies of the songs overwhelmed the venue with their strength, clarity, and emotion. Bassist Daniel Avner moved around the stage with great presence and kept the audience engaged with intermittent performance antics.



The half-hour set went by far too quickly, the band’s performance gaining momentum with each new song and never losing the audience’s attention. After their show, the band members gathered at the merchandise table near the back of the venue to mingle with the crowed gathered there and sign newly purchased CDs. For those of you not fortunate enough to have seen Bolus live, Delayed Reaction is available for purchase in physical and digitals forms online at BolusMusic.com. - Nikki Brewer

Although it cannot necessarily be considered a follow-up to their second album ‘Delayed Reaction’, Bolus’ ‘Watch Your Step’ witnesses a noted improvement of the band’s craft. Not so much a new album as it is a re-release, ‘Watch Your Step’ was actually their first album back in 2005, now rerecorded and benefiting from the experience gained over the six years in between. It may be safely assumed then that the 2011 version is much closer to the way that Bolus would have wanted the music to sound. Treating it as a continuation of Bolus’ work, this Canadian duo ventures into more technically proficient territory than they did on ‘Delayed Reaction’. Although Rush is still certainly an influence, Bolus have stepped out from underneath the shadow and indifferent distinction as an emulator, and into something pretty great. Once again, the songwriting may not be quite new, but fans of Rush and melodically-inclined prog will find ‘Watch Your Step’ a fine piece of Canadian rock.
Use of more conventional song structures in prog has become much less taboo in recent decades, and Bolus capitalizes on this, reinforcing strong performance standards with pleasant melody and concise compositions. Although classic progressive hard rock is the driving influence between Bolus’ music, there is a sense of the more modern alternative rock derivative, seeping into the way their vocal leads are formed. The single-worthy ‘Shadow Stalker’ would not sound out of place on a college rock station; a to-the-point song built around its instantly memorable chorus. The band does make a stab at longer-form compositions with the atmospheric ‘Vow’ and prog metal finale ‘In Conclusion…’, but Bolus focus most of their album on more rock-oriented numbers. Rush’s ‘Fly By Night’ is a good reference point for where these guys take their songwriting.
The most impressive thing this time around is not so much the songwriting, but moreso how Bolus are able to cram so much prog into what would otherwise be decent 3-5 minute rock songs. To clarify, the duo will often break into excellent instrumental fury in between verses and choruses. Surprisingly, this almost always pays off in the music’s favour, helped in no small part due to the fact that Nick Karch and Mat Keselman are both great musicians. At times, their instrumental performance can feel a little cold and mechanical, but this is offset by their vocal work, which fits the music perfectly.
It seems strange to say- considering that this music has technically been around for years before ‘Delayed Reaction’- but it does feel as if Bolus have taken a proud step forward with ‘Watch Your Step’. Their performance and production both pull a tighter standard here, and while I cannot find the original to compare it to, I’ll place my bets and say that the 2011 version probably trumps their debut in every way they strove for. With this skill now demonstrated, all that’s left is to hear if this high quality will carry over to fresh material. - Conor Fynes - Prog Sphere

As one would hope, 'prog' rock has developed to keep up with the ever-changing scope of modern music. Bolus is one such act that attempts to live up to that original tenant of prog rock, being to take the sounds of so-called popular music and push the envelope of their artistic credibility. 'Delayed Reaction' is a fair demonstration of what this Canadian duo is all about; talented and professional, Bolus makes some good, melodic music here, without necessarily convincing me that it will do something that hasn't already been seen.

Calling this band neo-prog is a fair assessment. In general, there is an attention to vocal melodies here that alot of orthodox prog does not, especially when it comes to the harmonies that this duo makes. Bolus often sound like they are fusing melodic prog with alternative rock, and this is a fusion of styles that has been quite promising to me in the past. A comparison could be drawn here to Marillion, as the music is typically favouring beautiful melancholy over technical display. Mid-era Rush also plays a factor here. The band is most definitely influenced by the classic bands, as is most evident in the sounds and textures they choose to use. The keyboards are derived from Genesis it sounds, and Alex Lifeson's guitar tones seem to be emulated throughout 'Delayed Reaction'. Of course, if you're a prog fan, these 'derivative' elements are not necessarily a bad thing. All the same, it feels like despite Bolus' evident strength in terms of production, performance, and melody-writing, they are content to stay within the shadow of those that came before.

The production is something that particularly impressed me, especially the way these vocal harmonies come out in the mix. The vocals of Nick Karch are quite good, although there are times when he seems to take a little too nasal of a tone with his voice. The vocal harmonies are where this band's strength lies, at least as far as their performance goes. Although they are kept relatively simple, the arrangements add alot to the melodies of this band, which are already quite good on their own. Besides a few melodies however, 'Delayed Reaction' is not a particularly memorable album. It is enjoyable, long, and- in some instances- ambitious, but perhaps a little too dry to leave a lasting impression on me. - Conor Fynes - Prog Archives

As one would hope, 'prog' rock has developed to keep up with the ever-changing scope of modern music. Bolus is one such act that attempts to live up to that original tenant of prog rock, being to take the sounds of so-called popular music and push the envelope of their artistic credibility. 'Delayed Reaction' is a fair demonstration of what this Canadian duo is all about; talented and professional, Bolus makes some good, melodic music here, without necessarily convincing me that it will do something that hasn't already been seen.

Calling this band neo-prog is a fair assessment. In general, there is an attention to vocal melodies here that alot of orthodox prog does not, especially when it comes to the harmonies that this duo makes. Bolus often sound like they are fusing melodic prog with alternative rock, and this is a fusion of styles that has been quite promising to me in the past. A comparison could be drawn here to Marillion, as the music is typically favouring beautiful melancholy over technical display. Mid-era Rush also plays a factor here. The band is most definitely influenced by the classic bands, as is most evident in the sounds and textures they choose to use. The keyboards are derived from Genesis it sounds, and Alex Lifeson's guitar tones seem to be emulated throughout 'Delayed Reaction'. Of course, if you're a prog fan, these 'derivative' elements are not necessarily a bad thing. All the same, it feels like despite Bolus' evident strength in terms of production, performance, and melody-writing, they are content to stay within the shadow of those that came before.

The production is something that particularly impressed me, especially the way these vocal harmonies come out in the mix. The vocals of Nick Karch are quite good, although there are times when he seems to take a little too nasal of a tone with his voice. The vocal harmonies are where this band's strength lies, at least as far as their performance goes. Although they are kept relatively simple, the arrangements add alot to the melodies of this band, which are already quite good on their own. Besides a few melodies however, 'Delayed Reaction' is not a particularly memorable album. It is enjoyable, long, and- in some instances- ambitious, but perhaps a little too dry to leave a lasting impression on me. - Conor Fynes - Prog Archives

Bolus, what's in the name*, are a Canadian band from the surroundings of Toronto. Delayed Reaction is their second album on which Nick Karch (vocals, guitar, bass and keyboards) and Mat Keselman (drums, percussion, vocals and flute) are influenced on the second half of the seventies Genesis, Rush and Yes. Although it isn't strange to hear some influences of Dream Theater and Spock's Beard now and then. Such a references makes curious and I can tell you the listener won't be disappointed.

From the first song Those Who Saved Us it is clear that Bolus put a lot of work in their compositions. Strong songs with a start and an end, with fluid and natural lines. The keyboards, mostly piano, hammond and mellotron are mainly used for support and in some songs are behind in the mix. THe guitar parts are very strong. From the acoustic Genesis sound in Outside, including flute parts, and the Steve Hackett alike solo in Push To Exit, to the Alex Lifeson alike solo in White Window and the Metallica sound of Instructions, where the vocals of Nick Karch sounds in between Peter Nicholls and Stuart Nicholson.

Seventy minutes of Delayed Reaction isn't a long sit. Bolus keeps the attention of the listener, from acoustic to metal it does not bore for a moment, the variation of the material makes it even stronger and turn Delayed Reaction into a very strong record. Until now one of the best albums of 2011 which I have given a listen. - Rissan - THE MORE YOU LIVE, THE MORE YOU LOVE

If anybody has watched the band’s latest “making of” documentary (which I wholeheartedly recommend) then they know that Bolus’ second album Delayed Reaction has been a long time in the making. The band’s goal, according to drummer/ producer/engineer/co-songwriter Mat Keselman, was to make a great sounding album,quickly, for cheap. “We found out the hard way that we could only have two of those three at the same time,” says Mat in the video. Which meant that the band dedicated from 2006 to 2010 to make the album sound stellar, while not going over-budget. While this technique may not work for everyone, one listen to the band’s final product, and it’s clear that it did the trick for Bolus.

From the first ambient signs of life on opener “Those Who Saved Us,” to the final shimmering notes of closer “Steps Under Shelter,” the entire album reeks of engineering perfectionism. Functioning as a two-man performing/recording team, Keselman and guitarist/lead singer Nick Karch painstakingly explore the full potential of every piece of equipment they touch, resulting in a smooth, professional and compelling final product. Like an Olympic gold-medalist, everything on the album is tight, fine-tuned and designed for maximum success. A lot of training and conditioning went in to the album, and the final product, from the performances to the mixes to the final master (all done independently by the band) reflects this. The end result is an album that sounds like it was recorded with a budget containing many more 0 columns than what they actually had.

Making an album sound pristine may be one thing, but it hardly matters if the song quality doesn’t match the production value. Fortunately for Bolus, on Delayed Reaction, they’re able to combine their influences into a sum of parts that at once sounds familiar and refreshingly unique. Taking notes from classic prog bands such as Yes and Dream Theatre, the band also adds unexpected elements into its songs, such as gypsy- influenced breakdowns, baroque orchestral crescendos, flute solos and even an electronic techno-leaning interlude. It’s this kind of genre-splicing experimentation that has led the band to be labeled “Neo-Prog,” by some, a tag which the band shies away from. When listening to the band’s album as a whole, it’s clear why: Bolus are a band who follow their own artistic vision, without regard to simple labels or marketing strategies. Lyrically as well as musically, the songs are air-tight. Throughout the album, the group’s lyrics are highly complex and conceptual, but not without levity. In “White Window,” the band’s catchy lead single, the lyrics humourously satirize onlinecommunication conventions, while subtly tucked in the background are retro MSN Messenger noises. Another album highlight is “Postman,” which confidently struts with a Maroon 5-like groove, until it breaks down into complex riffery and playful auxiliary percussion breaks.

Throughout the album, Karch’s voice and guitarwork is a pleasant highlight – his pure, confident tones soar whether he’s singing or soloing. Not to be over-shadowed, Keselman’s drumming is massive, but never overdone. With such effort put into each layer of the project, Delayed Reaction makes for a compelling listen, regardless of how much attention you’re willing to pay it. On the surface it sounds great, and starts to sound even better the further you dig in. Now that they’re ready to take on the world, I only hope they don’t take another four years to make another album; though if it ends up sounding as good as this one, I suppose it’s worth the wait. - Joel Wheeler