Reviews

...Under the Sun’s Schematism stands as one of the most welcome releases of the year so far, even though it’s “only” a live record. The mere fact that it has been released at all, effectively jump-starting this band’s career, renews the joyous promise of what’s yet to come.
www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=2240

French review
www.musicinbelgium.net/pl/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=759

Recorded at NEARfest in 2001, nearly four years later sees this live recording presented in it's full glory. Judging by the sleeve notes, NEARfest in that year was one to be remembered at one o'clock in the afternoon when Under The Sun took to the stage...Nearly seventy two minutes and nine tracks make this album a worthwhile listen, and there are some small live pictures and a lot of credits with information in the fold out sleeve, but I can't help but think that this should be a DVD to get the full effect. Some of the songs such as Dream Catcher, This Golden Voyage and the epic SoulJourner just sound excellent live, and the playing performances are a notable credit...
www.hairlessheartherald.co.uk/under_the_sun_-_schematism.htm

...I first heard about Under The Sun back in 1998 when I got a chance to see them live at a club in Van Nuys, California. I really enjoyed the way they sounded live, so when I heard they were going to have a official live recording available I was looking forward to it. Since listening to it several times, I admit that their studio versions pale in comparison to the live ones...
www.geocities.com/prognaut/reviews/uts.html

Italian review
www.rockreviews.info/reviewpage.php?ID=304

...After wondering when the follow up to the last record would come forth, ‘Schematism’ has been a long awaited release that features most of the material from the self titled album performed here, with only one track that was not featured on that release, the extended ‘Souljourner (I am Forever),’ which again proves that a live setting is the most appropriate way to hear this spontaneous band. With the performance being highly relative to Transatlantic and Kaipa, presenting a mixture of neo and classic prog; pairing the songwriting emphasis with many technical approaches used in regards to jam sessions and soloing, they go berserk on “Breakwater,” rock to a more subdued pace on “Dream Catcher,” and bring a dreamy atmosphere forth with “Reflections;” proving that even with only one album being out at the time of this recording, the band’s material stands out and shines with diversity to prevent any redundancy...
www.ytsejam.com/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=708

Interview with Chris
www.progressiveworld.net/shryackcutsinterv.html

...Looking at this release from just a performance point of view, it takes a moment for the band to warm up and really kick things into gear. Not to say that the opening track, "Tracer," was a shaky performance, but that they get stronger from that point on. The set list includes nearly all their debut album, plus what was then a new track, "Souljourner." It is a piece that follows on from their debut in style and substance, the same mix of heavy rock and epic sweeps of sound, searing, soaring guitar phrases. My favorites from the debut, "This Golden Voyage" and "Breakwater" have nearly all their impact intact and derive extra energy in a live setting, especially a blistering take on "Breakwater." The closing piece, "From Henceforth Now And Forever" is equally blistering, but also magical in it's spacier moments. Throw in "Perfect World," "Dream Catcher" (another fave) and "Reflections," which at the time I thought was a sublime performance, listening to it again, it is one of their best performances here, harmonies perfectly in sync, guitar solos sharp and precise...
www.progressiveworld.net/html/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=1644

Interview with Chris and Kurt
www.seaoftranquility.org/article.php?sid=425

...Paradoxically one of the things that I liked about Schematism is that it doesn’t actually sound like a live recording. The CD was mixed by producer/engineer Brad Aaron in a manner that doesn’t put you out in the audience as much as it virtually puts you on the stage. You feel like you’re right there, not at the back of the hall, but in with the band. Yet unlike the actual live environment, here each instrument, each sound is clearly discernable. It is a subtle but truly pleasurable audio experience. As I said at the outset, as one who’s not partial to live recordings, Under the Sun’s Schematism is a wonderful surprise. I heartily recommend it to new and old fans while we await the band’s new studio release.
www.progressiveears.com/asp/reviews.asp?albumID=3182

Danish review
www.progwereld.org/cd-recensies/underthesun.htm

German review
www.metal-inside.de/frame.php?url=www.metal-inside.de/dyn/review.jsp?id=5690

...You get to hear most of the songs from the ‘Under The Sun’ album(at least as far as I know because I don’t have that album) and also a previously-unreleased track called "Souljourner", a very epic song, but just wonderful. The live-playing from this band is very tight and the vocals are clear and true, while the songs are pretty diverse and create an atmosphere that you may expect from a progrock-band. But nowhere I did got bored, which can happen sometimes when you listen to progrock music because they make a lot of long songs, so that’s a positive point regarding the song-arrangements. If you’re a fan of the before mentioned bands, Under the Sun is also your package, so get it!!! Also scheduled for this year is a new and second studio-album.
www.musketeerofdeath.nl/cdrutsun.htm