Formed initially in early 2003 by guitarist and songwriter Mike Tucci, Mind Over Matter grew out of a desire to create a unique sound that blends wide and varied influences with aspects of complexity and simplicity. The idea is to take the listener on a sonic journey that travels from vast soundscapes to focused, heavy rhythms, from "in your face" to near-ambience, and to compliment the broad sonic landscape with meaningful lyrics that offer hope and challenge. Just a few weeks into the project Chris Hall came on board. Chris lends invaluable speed, technique and feel on the guitar, as well as expansive keyboard abilities that give depth and emotional impact to the music.
Good drummers are hard to find, but great drummers are like finding that illusive pot-of-gold at the end of the rainbow. Through a chance meeting at a Dream Theater concert (actually all the Dream Theater concerts...and Symphony X concerts, and whatever prog concerts came along) Mike met Adam Schlegel, drummer extraordinaire! Adam was frustrated with the project he was in at the time and looking for something more progressive. Actually taking months to finally hook up in the studio for rehearsal, Adam's style fit perfectly with the band. His ability to blend drumming styles and innovate within changing time signatures grew new life into Mind Over Matter's music.
Together, this foundation of Mind Over Matter projects a vast and bright future. The music and philosophies are designed to evoke emotion and inspiration to bring people together with the possibility of creating a better future. We believe in the power of music to move people and be a positive force in their lives.
Along with the progressive metal stylings of Mind Over Matter's full band arrangements, Mike and Chris have been rearranging some of the songs for acoustic guitar and piano. This creates a completely different dynamic in the music which provides a unique voice in the singer/songwriter crowd. They are calling it "acousti-prog" and hope to reach a broader audience who might not otherwise be interested in listening to the heavier music.
We believe that music can truly change the world, and we invite everyone to join us on the journey.
Lyrics for "The Last Vestiges of Hope:"
THE LAST VESTIGES OF HOPE
There comes a time in our existence when we reach a point in life that we ask ourselves: should we continue on the same path that has lead us to where we are today, or should we strike off in a new direction, fraught with fear of the unknown and possible failure, but a road, none-the-less, which may lead us to becoming the person we have always wanted to be.
It is easy to do what is comfortable, to stay within the realm of the familiar. But, has this lead us to where we really want to be? Has this fulfilled our dreams?
Within our comfort zone lies mediocrity. Within mediocrity lies the seeds and eventual fruition of lost hopes, dead dreams. This is the land of “If only I had...â€; “If only I had tried...â€
Outside our comfort zone, in that inglorious, hesitant step into an unknown future lies the realization of hopes silently dreamt, but never spoken. It is not an easy step, nor an easy trail to blaze. Failure lies just beyond each footfall. The paralyzing hand of fear is always outstretched, reaching to snag even the slightest garment of doubt in which we enwrap ourselves. But, it is down this path where the realization of all our hopes and dreams are to be found. It is the constant journey of challenge and rediscovery which leads us to the ultimate understanding of ourselves, and yields the deepest depths of compassion for others, for we can truly understand the path on which they struggle.
So there comes a time in every life where we are confronted with the question of which path to take. And the answer is the very next step that we take. And we make that decision EVERY DAY!
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