MYSTORIA

After recording "The Octopus" in 2011 the band were exhausted, it wasn't a fun experience by any means composing 2 hours of music and coming up with the lyrics. But it was well worth it considering how well it sold and they would be signed by the K-Scope label as a result. Reminds me of RUSH doing "Hemispheres" and just the band telling us about how difficult it was composing such complex music, it was again not fun by any means. RUSH would go on to create the simpler "Permanent Waves" and they had a blast doing it while AMPLIFIER would make "Echo Street" and also becoming a four piece adding guitarist Steve Durose from OCEANSIZE and that second guitar really makes a difference giving them some sonic options.

"Echo Street" released in 2013 was followed by this record "Mystoria" in 2014. This is a stripped down, leaner album like "Echo Street" and they are having too much fun. This is melodic and heavy and the first three tracks exemplify this perfectly beginning with that opening instrumental "Magic Carpet" with the dual guitars and heavy rhythm section simply a ripping instrumental. "Black Rainbow" is a thunderous track with vocals. "Named After Rocky" has some great vocals and harmonies and the guitar is crying out before 2 1/2 minutes and the guitars really light this tune up. Least favourite is "Cat's Cradle" and I'm not that big on "The Meaning Of It" but the rest is gravy including the heavy closer "Crystal Anthem".

Such a great guitar album and I'm a big fan of Sel's vocals plus that rhythm section kills. Yes this is AMPLIFIER and a solid 4 star record.