AUTOFICTION PT. 1 - SHARDS

JOVIAC, melodic prog metal, with a nod to Dream Theater and ACT, is playful prog pop metal. A melodic and progressive structure, fiery riffs, and delightful lyrical flights.

"Level 1" with its instrumental intro punctuated by soft guitar, on "Entrez lesaccusés"; marshmallow guitar shimmers in the Satriani space, a groovy staccato, and a distinctly neo-classical zest. It has a strong whiff of Dream Theater from the introduction of the jazzy keyboard-drums and the associated djent beat in 7/8 time. "Haven" follows with a piano arpeggio gradient for the radiant melody that serves as the opening to "B.O.M.B." with accompanying vocals, proof of their prog roots. A striking catchy chorus, djent mixed with modern synth with a fresh, funky touch. The rhythm brings Joviac into the era of the new sound of the decade; Viljami bewitches me, reminding me of the sounds of Tesseract. "Burn," ah, that intro that could have been played by Iron Maiden, that compulsive rise of instruments, a bit of guttural, then the syncopated side found in Haken, the rhythmic background on Dream Theater. A text on mental suffering experienced like a Wallian wall; a fresh, invigorating, energetic drift, a zest of Muse to introduce the break with this piano note drifting to the Orient, Orphaned Land. An enthusiastic progressive vein, full of links up to the guttural vocal; crystalline sweetness for the twirling, playful, and devilishly progressive finale, melting vocals on A-Ha.

"Canvas" for the 80s radio pop track, a soft melody on Toto, Tears for Fears, incredible this change due to the nostalgic keyboards evoking Saga in the background; A softness flirting with AOR bands for the direct finale, then on to crystalline acoustics. "Shine" follows suit, symphonic synth combined with soft djent for the fruity, distinctive chorus; the guitar hints at those of Animals as Leaders. A percussive, dynamic piece, navigating two musical modes with the instrumental finale. "Level 7" as an instrumental sequel to the first, a rhythmic tune worthy of Suicidal Tendencies, funky and bouncy with the guitar and new wave keyboards with trumpets. Riffs, progressions à la Porcupine Tree, heavy metal à la Dream Theater. A special mention goes to Rudy and his explosive drum kit. "Open Eyes and Mind" is an a cappella intermission by Viljami accompanied by a gospel choir; it doesn't fit into the baritone range to amaze, but its harmonic capacity is such that it easily captivates. "Once" for the second major piece; Vocals riffing on Haken and Temic, melodic then choppy. Ambient drift, djent, choppy synth, everything even returns on "Level 1." The break takes off into a cottony space where Viljami excels, creating a bucolic atmosphere of introspection, Queen guitar. It wanders affectionately until the second break where the keyboard reigns supreme, vintage organ then piano, a tribute to shivering neo-classical, to Savatage. Solemn, dithyrambic, and enjoyable symphonic music.

Joviac offers a selection of choices, somewhere between prog metal, AOR, djent, languid pop wave, and introspective alternative rock, with a fresh sound that cleans out the drawers, moving from Dream Theater to Haken and Periphery, Circus Maximus, and Voyager. Originally released on Progcensor.

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