REALMS OF ETERNITY (E)

Syzygy is a four piece from Ohio (USA), led by guitarist and leadvocalist Carl Baldasarre. Together with keyboardist Sam Giunta and bassist Al Rolik these friends were in a band called Abraxas - not to be confused with the Polish band with the same name - touring extensively during the seventies but they mainly played covers. This band disbanded in 1983. With the addition of drummer Paul Mihacevich they recorded their debut Cosmos And Chaos in 1993 under the name of Witsend. A period of writing and raising families resulted in a hiatus, but they returned as Syzygy with the critically acclaimed album The Allegory Of Light (2003). In a period of almost five years the quartet now returns with Realms Of Eternity, nothing less than a masterpiece of prog, albeit their sources of inspiration sometimes are quite evident. Due to the craftsmanship of the instrumentalists and the good vocal harmonies there's really plenty to enjoy. Good vocals? Yes, unlike many bands who think they can or should do everything themselves there are bands that are aware that there are pretty damn good vocalists out there, waiting to be hired. In this case Syzygy made an excellent choice with Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Uli Jon Roth, Royal Hunt) whose vocals are featured on all epics and on The Sea. All lyrics partly on the different aspects of afterlife, were written by Carl Baldassarre. The opening Darkfield is a rather complex track with several different atmospheres. Immediately the composition showcases the individual instrumentalists to the full. The track has the unsurpassed melodies from Genesis, the complexity of UK, the keyboard layers of the early King Crimson and the superb drumming of the drummers of all aforementioned bands: Bill Bruford, Terry Bozzio and Phil Collins. Guest instrumentalists on this track are Virginia Crabtree (flute), Michael Debruyn (cello) and Erica Ward (violin). Vanitas recollects the best of Gentle Giant with a modern sound and a bit more rock influences. The crystal clear production makes you feel listening to a new album by former Gentle Giant-members featuring Eddie Jobson as a guest musician. The organ and the Moog refer to the seventies, the ultimate period in prog history. Although Dreams opens smoothly, again the same rocky version of Gentle Giant returns, but in no way by means of copying. These guys take the very best of progressive music from the seventies and early eighties and combine it with their own ideas and foremost their incredible abilities with which they master their instruments. In Echoes Remain the subtlety of the band is demonstrated in an almost acoustic song with acoustic guitar, some keyboards, bass and percussion. The flute samples reminds me of Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull). The longest epic is Dialectic, a diverse and varied track with pieces in the vein of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, but also references to Yes and some jazz influences can be heard. The long instrumental parts are characterized by some beautiful themes, tastefully arranged and leading to a climax like in Starship Trooper (Yes). In the last part the gorgeous heavy sound of Rolik’s bass reminds me of Chris Squire (Yes), Geddy Lee (Rush) and Dave Meros (Spock's Beard). In the next song two acoustic guitars and some keyboards are a nice intermezzo to chill out a bit. Overture is again in the vein of UK, although the heavier distorted guitar sound of Baldassarre differs considerably from the style and sound of Allan Holdsworth. Completely into early Spock’s Beard are The Sea and Morning Light, with obvious references to the album The Light. Having said that, I'd wish Spock’s Beard would create something like this again! More references to Gentle Giant in Variations, part 1. Especially the vocal parts must have been inspired by the complex harmony singing of this band. The instrumental Variations, part 2 rocks like the heavier Gentle Giant with yet again a major role for Mihacevich. Some of the themes on the album tend to pop up in different songs now and then, as is the case in the last songs. The last track, eloquently called Finale, features the guitar solos by Baldassarre. The music is in the vein of what Spock’s Beard had to offer with Neal Morse on board and rounds off with the good and sing-along piece featuring Mark Boals on vocals.

Realms Of Eternity is a great album, especially recommended for all fans of early Spock’s Beard and the heavier or rather more rocking Gentle Giant. Considering the great melodies, complex structures and incredible craftsmanship of this band, I would invite anyone with a preference for some complexity and genuine 'progressiveness' in the song structures to check out this release. It contains an extremely nice mix of symphonic, classical, jazz, folk and rock music. I do hope we don't have to wait another six years for their next release!