DEEVOLUTION

If you're looking for a satisfying Prog Metal experience with a modern twist then look no further. This new project from the Tipton brothers (previously Zero Hour) shows a level of professionalism and inspiration that is rarely shown in this scene. Best of all they manage to stay clear of the vanilla and cheese that makes classic Prog Metal hard to swallow for me.

The credit largely goes to the Tipton brothers, who both deliver splendid musicianship, on bass and guitars respectively. Yes, this is a metal album with audible bass guitar and what an enjoyment it is. Despite the musical capacities they keep the focus strongly with the songs, very tasty material, melodious but never corny. Vocalist Rosvold is a big aid in this as his clean but forceful mid-range voice is a welcome relief in a scene crowded with vocalist that confuse hitting high notes with emotion. My main gripe with the album is that after two very strong pieces, 'Divided Day' introduces a ballad-based type of songwriting that make the album drag a bit, but that shouldn't be a problem for the many fans of albums such as 'The Perfect Element' or 'Scenes of a Memory'.

Don't expect new tricks or innovation, this is just solid classic stuff with strong songmaterial and rich musicianship. I'd very much recommended this to all Prog Metal fans.

"DeEvolution" is the debut full-length studio album by US, California based Cynthesis. The album was released through Sensory Records in April 2011. The lineup comprises three former Zero Hour members (Troy Tipton, Jasun Tipton and Erik Rosvold) and Enchant drummer Sean Flanegan. So minus drummer Mike Guy, this is the lineup who recorded the classic "The Towers of Avarice (2001)" album by Zero Hour. I note with great joy that "DeEvolution" also marks the return of Erik Rosvold to the metal scene after a lengthy break in music oriented activities (Zero Hour recorded three albums with other singers in his absence).

It's of course deliberately that I mention "The Towers of Avarice (2001)" above. The dark and brooding sci-fi themed technical/progressive metal album stands as the finest achivement in the career of the now defunct Zero Hour, and therefore many questions arise before listening to "DeEvolution". Is this a continuation of the musical style initiated on "The Towers of Avarice (2001)"? Is Erik Rosvold still the vocal capacity he once was?

...the answers are both yes and no and somewhere in between. The sci-fi themed lyrics and concept form of "The Towers of Avarice (2001)" are also features on "DeEvolution" although it's a different story (the first part of a planned triology), and Erik Rosvold is definitely still the vocal capacity he was 10 years back, but when that is said "DeEvolution" is a very different sounding album compared to "The Towers of Avarice (2001)". While the concept is still pretty dark, the music on "DeEvolution" is not as bleak sounding as the case was on "The Towers of Avarice (2001)". It's of course no surprise, that the music on "DeEvolution" is more melodic and dynamic in nature, if you've followed the development of the Tipton brothers over the years. The acrobatic chromatic fretboard shredding is still a part of their sound, but I struggle to recall them composing music as melodically focused as the music on "DeEvolution". It's like they've really matured as songwriters over the last couple of years and the material on "DeEvolution" is both varied and generally very well written. Personally I miss more harder edged and aggressive parts in the music, but the increased focus on melody and atmosphere is also quite effectful.

The musicianship is not surprisingly on a very high level. Sean Flanegan gets to show a bit more of his technical playing skills than what we usually hear when he is playing with Enchant and as mentioned above Erik Rosvold is a fantastic vocalist with a personal and intense singing style and a strong and powerful voice. The Tipton brothers are as usual distinct sounding and focused on playing adventurous themes, but also more sensitive than ever to melody. Especially bassist Troy Tipton is on fire on "DeEvolution".

Overall "DeEvolution" is an original sounding progressive metal album, with both melodic moments, an intriguing atmosphere/concept story, and packed with skillfull adventurous playing. Combine that with a powerful and detailed sound production, and the above mentioned high level musicianship, and "DeEvolution" is quite a successful album to my ears. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

Back in my Prog Metal days ZERO HOUR were one of my favourites when it came to heavy and complex music. They released five albums from 1999 to 2008 before calling it a day. Yes, they would reform and release a comeback album in 2022 that I haven't heard. Over those first five albums we got the same core instrumental trio of the Tipton twins(guitar/bass) and Mike Guy on drums. There would be three vocalists over those five records. I mention all this ZERO HOUR background stuff because CYNTHESIS rose out of the ashes of ZERO HOUR.

Jasun Tipton started writing the music for this idea he had of a dystopian society, with the idea of making this concept a trilogy of albums. Sadly that third record never materialized. The concept is about "the powers that be" propping up this shaman they had taken as a slave and brainwashing him into spreading their message to control and deceive the suffering masses. The problem is that this shaman begins to receive light from the past, eventually realizing he is being used as a puppet. The picture of CYNTHESIS in the Bio here shows that moment as it were.

So we get the Tipton brothers and they called on ZERO HOUR's original singer Erik Rosvold who was on board, they just needed a drummer. When Jasun asked his bass playing brother who he wanted to work with in this new rhythm section, he said Mike Flanegan from ENCHANT. Mike played on ENCHANT's final three albums, including that comeback record from 2014. And while I was a little surprised at this choice, the results prove Troy knows a little more about drummers than I do(haha). "DeEvolution" was released in 2011, with the followup "ReEvolution" coming in 2013.

One of the biggest differences between the parent band ZERO HOUR and CYNTHESIS is simply that the latter have become less heavy and more melodic. Of course the focus is on the story, and we get plenty of atmosphere and mellow bits. ZERO HOUR does come to mind when Jasun decides to go all complex on us with his signature sound. Not often at all. We get a 45 minute album over eight songs. I do have a top three I will touch on.

The opening two tracks really get this album started on the right foot. Both are top three and I'm just so into that repeated guitar line throughout that opener called 'The Man Without Skin". It's mid-paced with depth and the drumming is great! My favourite song on here though is that second tune "Incision", but remember the title of the opener. This one is complex and uptempo. The best part of the album for me is 3 minutes in when that attitude comes to the fore. Some foot stomping metal right here. love the vocals, so much enthusiasm. Intense is the word and the drumming around 5 minutes in is impressive.

"The Edifice Grin" is my final top three and like "Incision" this one just kills with intensity and power. Erik shows why he has been called one of the premier vocalists in Metal. Then it turns absolutely beautiful after 1 1/2 minutes with heart-felt vocals. And no the heaviness isn't over by a long shot on this one. I really do not like the first 4 minutes of the closer. I know it's because of the concept but man piano, mellow vocals and atmosphere for too long. Too ballad-like. Yes the final couple of minutes make up for that. Heavy! How about "Twilight" where we get over 3 1/2 minutes of spacey atmosphere. The other track well worth mentioning is "Divided Day". It's the longest at under 8 minutes and it's like a miniature of the whole album.

I feel this is a step down from what ZERO HOUR brought to the table, just my opinion, but man there's so much skill on display here, with a cool story to boot.