Kyros – Mannequin (Magick Eye)
It was always threatened but UK proggers Kyros have now fully reached their potential as a band, over the course of three albums and numerous EP’s the synth heavy, pop-influenced, prog rock has been refined and reinvented leading to Mannequin their latest full length and as Shelby Logan Warne (vocals/keys) puts it Mannequin“is a real heart-on-sleeve affair for us and it's probably the most 'us' we've ever sounded.”
It was always threatened but UK proggers Kyros have now fully reached their potential as a band, over the course of three albums and numerous EP’s the synth heavy, pop-influenced, prog rock has been refined and reinvented leading to Mannequin their latest full length and as Shelby Logan Warne (vocals/keys) puts it Mannequin“is a real heart-on-sleeve affair for us and it's probably the most 'us' we've ever sounded.”
Well with the double whammy of Taste The Day and Showtime they sound like Yes (90125-era) playing with Toto and I’m sold. Tribal rhythms, chunky basslines, repeating synths phases and gloriously harmonic vocals Mannequin is everything I love about prog, no wonder then that the band have opened for Marillion, Spock's Beard and IQ, as they carry with them an old school vibe with the neo-progressive vibes of bands such as Pendragon and Saga too.
Illusions Inside brings a bit of heaviness, industrial edges of Robin Johnson’s drumming softened by the vocals, AOR synths and funk bass, as Esoterica brings pumping synthwave, which also has a bit of Michael Jackson’s Thriller to it as well, fashionably 80’s as the sax parps towards the end, Ghosts Of You continues to keep the 80’s alive and well. This shift of tone breaks up the record, allowing the creativity of the band to run rampant, but the sequencing of the album means that it doesn’t feel forced or jarring.
The End In Mind returns to the Toto rhythms, Joe E. Frevola’s guitar used for more than just riffing, giving me the influence of The Mars Volta with fluid lead lines locking down with Shelby’s expansive keys adding keening solos to Liminal Space, joining Shelby on vocals for the heavier tracks such as the massive prog rocker Technology Killed The Kids IV.
With Voyager taking this style of pop driven, synth prog to Eurovision, there’s more of an appetite for it than ever before and Kyros may just have just become the biggest proponents of what is a niche style. Mannequin has stripped Kyros of any image they tried to cultivate before, this is their true selves and bloody hell is it good! 9/10
Dwarrowdelf – The Fallen Leaves (Northern Silence Productions)
Ever wanted more piano in your black/death metal? Well Dwarrowelf has you covered with the new album The Fallen Leaves. The sole creation of Tom O’Dell (Battle Born), Dwarrowdelf moves on from its Tolkien/LOTR inspired creation and early albums to a new influence which is video Elden Ring, the high fantasy and dramatic storytelling is still present with the themes similar as the literary genius of Tolkien is reflected in games such as Elden Ring. Whatever the influence and lyrical direction, musically O’Dell continues to push boundaries on what can be classed as “extreme metal”.
It’s got the symphonic black metal of Cradle Of Filth, the powerful melodic death of Amon Amarth, the bardic strains of Blind Guardian (The Journey To Dawn) and vocals that shift between multiple genres, The Fallen Leaves is cinematic, immersive and exciting to hear, the themes of sorrow and struggle carried by the dark atmospheres and gothic melodies. Mainly due to having so much piano. For me it’s the CoF sound that Dwarrowdelf gets closest too, but thankfully without the pig squeals which is fine by me.
There’s tonnes of melody, orchestrations, riffs from black metal, death metal and even power metal as well as clean and harsh vocals, all made more impressive that it’s the work of one man, with additional vocals from and guitar on Deliverance by O’Dell’s Battle Born collaborators; Jack Reynolds (vocals) and Ethan Bishop (who played bass and guitars on the most recent BB record and on the EP too).
The Fallen Leaves puts high fantasy against technical expertise and makes for an album that is highly impressive, with Wintersun apparently returning later this year, buy this instead. 9/10
Pete Rafael – Elysian Citadel (Symmetric Records)
Greek guitar virtuoso Pete Rafael releases his debut album of mostly instrumental progressive metal, and he’s in good hands as he has teamed up with Bob Katsionis to make sure that these songs are at the highest level.
Dwarrowdelf – The Fallen Leaves (Northern Silence Productions)
Ever wanted more piano in your black/death metal? Well Dwarrowelf has you covered with the new album The Fallen Leaves. The sole creation of Tom O’Dell (Battle Born), Dwarrowdelf moves on from its Tolkien/LOTR inspired creation and early albums to a new influence which is video Elden Ring, the high fantasy and dramatic storytelling is still present with the themes similar as the literary genius of Tolkien is reflected in games such as Elden Ring. Whatever the influence and lyrical direction, musically O’Dell continues to push boundaries on what can be classed as “extreme metal”.
It’s got the symphonic black metal of Cradle Of Filth, the powerful melodic death of Amon Amarth, the bardic strains of Blind Guardian (The Journey To Dawn) and vocals that shift between multiple genres, The Fallen Leaves is cinematic, immersive and exciting to hear, the themes of sorrow and struggle carried by the dark atmospheres and gothic melodies. Mainly due to having so much piano. For me it’s the CoF sound that Dwarrowdelf gets closest too, but thankfully without the pig squeals which is fine by me.
There’s tonnes of melody, orchestrations, riffs from black metal, death metal and even power metal as well as clean and harsh vocals, all made more impressive that it’s the work of one man, with additional vocals from and guitar on Deliverance by O’Dell’s Battle Born collaborators; Jack Reynolds (vocals) and Ethan Bishop (who played bass and guitars on the most recent BB record and on the EP too).
The Fallen Leaves puts high fantasy against technical expertise and makes for an album that is highly impressive, with Wintersun apparently returning later this year, buy this instead. 9/10
Pete Rafael – Elysian Citadel (Symmetric Records)
Greek guitar virtuoso Pete Rafael releases his debut album of mostly instrumental progressive metal, and he’s in good hands as he has teamed up with Bob Katsionis to make sure that these songs are at the highest level.
The idea was to take influence from John Petrucci (Cosmic Traveller), Michael Amott (Light After Darkness) and Jeff Loomis (The Chosen One) and make a record that not only bristles with technical ability but also has some excellent song writing so it doesn’t descend into just fret wankery. Pete composed the tracks and plays the guitar here with Katsionis producing and playing/programming everything else (drums/bass/keys), he’s releasing through his record label too so that is some seal of approval, as is the mix and master job from Fredrik Nordstrom.
Elysian Citadel is a great album to listen to whether you like instrumental guitar music or not as it’s got dynamics and melody, it’s got all the hallmarks of the bands these influences come from as well as a whole host of bands from Bob’s discography (check out the guitar/keys duel from the title track), the collaboration means that there’s something for anyone that’s a fan of melodic progressive metal.
Even noted virtuoso Rusty Cooley gets in on the act with a guest performance on Warrior Within while Ecstasy Of Love features Jo Kotrotsou on vocals, the latter making me think that if Rafael and Katsionis wanted to form a band with vocals they most certainly could. For now though Rafael has stamped his name on the prog metal world with this gifted debut album. Any self-respecting prog metal band would do well to snap him up, but they need him more than he needs them. 8/10
Marco Cusato – Untamed Souls (Sleaszy Rider Srl)
Marco Cusato brings us what I think is his debut solo album. He is the creative force behind Somberwind, who play gothic metal so, with this set of goth rock/darkwave tracks he doesn’t stray too far from the path. Probably because his baritone is very Andrew Eldritch so it’s only with songs such as Pain Of Salvation that he can really perform, no room for power metal wailing.
Marco Cusato – Untamed Souls (Sleaszy Rider Srl)
Marco Cusato brings us what I think is his debut solo album. He is the creative force behind Somberwind, who play gothic metal so, with this set of goth rock/darkwave tracks he doesn’t stray too far from the path. Probably because his baritone is very Andrew Eldritch so it’s only with songs such as Pain Of Salvation that he can really perform, no room for power metal wailing.
The influences of The Sisters Of Mercy, The Mission and Type O Negative (Stalker Doll) all very strong on these 11 tracks of dark electronically tinged rock, which sways from lachrymose ballads (The Void In Your Soul) engulfed in piano and strings to sweaty goth rockers that build on synths and lustful vocals (Burn The Witch Tonight).
Untamed Souls doesn’t break new ground but it could become the newest addition to your collection of brooding goth and post punk ready for late night death discos. 6/10