Canadian progressive rock band Red Sand is celebrating their twenty year anniversary in 2024. The band has quietly made a name for themselves in the prog rock community and continue to grow their worldwide fanbase. To date they have released ten albums of modern progressive rock. Their music would fall under the category of neo-progressive rock, or simply neo-prog. Red Sand’s primary influence is early Marillion, specifically the first five Marillion albums. Red Sand’s founder and driving force, Simon Caron, is not afraid to wear his influences on his sleeve. Other bands that help to shape the sound of Red Sand include Genesis, Pink Floyd and Camel. The music of Red Sand is filled with lush keyboards, emotive lead guitar and dramatic vocals. Their brand of progressive rock is quite accessible, with a high focus on melody and much room for extended musical breaks.
Red Sand’s twenty year anniversary is a great accomplishment. Any band around for that length of time is bound to go through some lineup changes. Over the course of twenty years the band has released ten studio albums of high quality progressive rock. During that time they have gone through two lead singers and a host of other lineup changes. Despite the various line-up changes, the sound of the band has remained consistent. Simon Caron has consistently brought in musicians capable of helping him to create his musical vision. Hemel was the band’s first vocalist. He appeared on their debut album and then departed. Steff Dorval was the band’s second vocalist. To date he is their longest running lead singer, performing with the band over two separate stints. He initially performed on the band’s second and third album before departing. Hemel returned for the band’s fourth album and left again. After his departure Steff returned and recorded six albums. The band recently announced the departure of Steff and the introduction of a new lead vocalist. The new singer is named Michel Renaud. Renaud has been the singer of a band called Something ELSE as well as a Fish era Marillion cover band.
Red Sand may be going through some changes, but that is not stopping them from celebrating the twentieth anniversary of their debut album, Mirror Of Insanity. It is amazing to think that twenty years have passed since they released this fine album. The album sees the band leaning heavily on the influence of early Marillion, as well as 1970’s progressive rock, to craft their own sound. 2024 will see the band celebrating Mirror Of Insanity live, as well as recording and releasing a new studio album. The new album will be the first to feature Michel Renaud. It will be interesting to hear Renaud’s live interpretation of the Mirror Of Insanity album.
Each Red Sand singer has brought a flair for the dramatic to the music. Steff contributed a great deal to the band, having time to develop and grow with them. Simon Caron has been the band’s main songwriter and primary lyricist. Steff proved adept at vocally and visually interpreting lyrics that he did not write. He possesses a voice that perfectly suits the music of Red Sand and he has quite a stage presence. Steff brought a lot of energy and passion to the band’s live performances. He had a great stint with the band. His voice and his talents will be missed. I am sad to see Steff go, however I am glad that Caron has opted to move forward with the band. I am eager to see what Michel Renaud will bring to the music Red Sand. Caron has guided Red Sand over the last two decades. During that time the band has created an exceptional discography filled with modern, melodic progressive rock. I trust that Caron and the band will continue to produce dramatic, high quality progressive rock in the future. For more information on the band please check out their website. https://www.redsandmusic.ca/
Troy Tennard
Shades Of Noir 