TEMIC is the brand-new progressive metal supergroup comprised of some notable musicians who should be no strangers to those who follow prog music. Terror Management Theory is the debut, released on Season of Mist. The band includes:
Fredrik Bergersen (Maraton, 22): Vocals
Eric Gillette (The Neal Morse Band, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress): Guitars and Backing Vocals
Simen Sandnes (Shining, Arkentype): Drums and Percussion
Diego Tejeida (Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, ex-Haken): Keyboards and Sound Design
With that kind of pedigree, you'd expect high quality, and that's essentially what Terror Management Theory delivers. What I was a little surprised at is how much of a moody Evergrey-like sound TEMIC ultimately has. Yes, there are plenty of moments of Haken & Dream Theater inspired virtuosity throughout the album, and Gillette's guitar riffage and blazing solos permeate the whole affair, even entering into djent territory on occasion, but the brooding, melancholy nature of Begensen's vocals often drift into areas we normally hear the great Tom Engund operate in, which you can hear right from the outset on "Through the Sands of Time". This isn't necessarily a bad thing to be compared a bit to Evergrey, one of the most consistent prog-metal bands in recent memory with their dreamy, brooding, and gothic take on the genre. Where TEMIC really impress is then dropping in their technical virtuosity with a great sense of creating melodies and hooks that fit inside very neatly in all this bombast. "Falling Away" is just irresistible...what a chorus, and those heavy riffs are kick ass. Diego's futurist, bubbling keys add that Haken flair to the exciting "Count Your Losses", while the groovy yet dark masher "Skeletons" is another can't-miss track, with some wild shredding from Gillette. "Friendly Fire" crushes, "Paradigm" soars, and closer "Mothallah" is super-heavy, allowing for some more shred from Tejada and Gillette that will please any loyal prog-metal fan.
Despite my initial reservations, Terror Management Theory has completely won me over, and remains one of my favorite genre releases of the latter part of 2023.
Track Listing
1.
TMT 02:02
2.
Through the Sands of Time 07:01
3.
Falling Away 04:57
4.
Count Your Losses 06:13
5.
Skeletons 07:00
6.
Acts of Violence 05:52
7.
Friendly Fire 05:57
8.
Paradigm 06:33
9.
Once More 05:45
10.
Mothallah 07:26
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