Kollman is the key songwriter in the band and besides being an extremely skilled guitarist he is also producer of his own and other artist's material. He's played/playing with such bands/artists as John West, The Phil Mogg Band, Edwin Dare, The Lao Tizer Band, and Mogg/Way (featuring the original members of UFO).

Sparks is a monster bass player. His credits include work with Yngwie Malmsteen, MSG, Uli Jon Roth, John West, Vinnie Moore and Billie Myers. I was fortunate to see him live last summer with Uli Jon Roth and he sure impressed me with his bass playing. Recently he joined the ranks as the new bass player for the reformed Dokken as well as having laid down some bass tracks for ex Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman's new project.

Canadian drummer, Gaalaas, also has an impressive list of things on his CV; Yngwie Malmsteen, MSG, Uli Jon Roth and Vinnie Moore, Artension, Lao Tizer, Diesel Machine and Hughes Turner Project. Gaalaas is also part of Cosmosquad offshoot Truth and the new Kollman/Mogg band project. Gaalaas also played with Uli Jon Roth on that occasion last year with Sparks. What was even more impressive was that he doubled during that whole touring playing two sets each night with Roth and also with Glenn Hughes.

Phew, busy guys I'd say! Given the fact that they have mostly recorded hard rock and metal with many of the old school big names is that what Cosmosquad is all bout? No, definitely not! Cosmosquad plays an instrumental mixture of rock, progressive metal and traditional fusion with a lot of weird stuff thrown in here and there. "Squadrophenia" is the third CD by Cosmosquad. "Cosmosquad" (1997) and "Live At The Baked Potato" (2001) are the two previous releases.

"Jam For Jason" is a track driven by melodic side of Kollman's guitar playing sometimes at mind-boggling speed at times using his electric guitar both also a great passage where he excels on an acoustic guitar laying out the notes making it a fast and flurry flamenco party! ;) They also work some African sounds into the music, as for example through Gaalaas drum and percussion work on "Road To Tanzania/Tribal Trance". Sparks gets to shine on some tracks as well. I love his intro to "Winter In Innisfail" for example. That whole track is melodic heaven as well. On "In Loving Memory", a slow and beautiful track, Kollman really pour a lot of emotions into his playing. He definitely shows that he's not only about speed and technique. "Sea Broth" starts with a groovy acoustic blues part and develops into a evil, twisted and grinding blues rocker with the groove maintained throughout. Great!

Cosmosquad definitely has the chops and the musical ability as well as a very melodic approach, which appeals to me. They have also thrown in some odd beats, weird chord sequences and general odd sounds to make this 12 track instrumental CD entertaining throughout. So hats off to these gentlemen for having come up with a great CD.