Slychosis: Fractured Eye

Slychosis is a Jackson, Mississippi based, two – man, prog band, with a sound that is a great combination of early Pallas, Rush, and Styx. The band is made up of Gregg Johns, on guitar, keyboards, bass, mandolin, and vocals; and Tony White on lead vocals and guitar. Guest performances on Fractured Eye include: drums and percussion from Shannon Goree, (Greenfish and Johnny Crocker Band); and guest guitarist, Bones Joshua Theriot from (Abigail's Ghost and Flashback).

When I first heard samples of Fractured Eye, I knew I had to hear the whole thing, and not on the Internet, on a crystal clear CD. So I was elated when the band honored my request and sent a promo. This is excellent prog delivered with love and care.

"The Sphinxter" opens this album off in the grand style you may remember from Pallas' Sentinel album. This is the longest track on the album at 7:23, so they opened the album with the epic, which I always enjoy. The female chorus like vocals supporting are angelic. Excellent keys drive the melody and power of the track. They are supported well with solid drums, and bass. The vocals sound like a good mix between Geddy Lee and Euan Lowson. A strong track to open the album.

"Elements" opens with exquisite Pallas' Sentinel – like keys and power drums, bass, and lead guitar. Johns' vocals do a good job of delivering the emotion and power behind the lyrics of an interesting storyline. The pace later picks up and the drums slam harder as the whirlwind of keys whips faster.

"The Mariner" is another of the best tracks on the album. The sounds of the sea and the instrumentation help your mind return to classics like "Come Sail Away" and others you may remember from the 70s. The guitar solos are worth the price of admission alone, but the keyboard extravaganza at 2:53 will take you right back to the magic of The Grand Illusion itself.

"Elegy for Christy" is another stunning track. It opens dark and eerie, full of deep keys, bass and orchestration. It is an instrumental remembrance theme for a lost friend.

"The Memory" starts with a wonderful guitar riff, and then moves quickly into a vocal track, "Let me be the ocean. Let me be the wind, and I can carry you through the ends of time. Then, the pace picks up with a launching , then grinding guitar solo, supported with great bass, keys, and drums. Excellent Banks – like synth keys fill the air later. Great instrumentation and guitar sounds of early IQ ensue.

"Dreamscape 2012" is another great lyrical track full of power keys, heavy guitar, solid bass and pounding drums. "Dreamscapes, where paupers can be kings".

"Samuel 2012" is the best track on the album. What a cool storyline, that I will not spoil. Excellent keys, guitar, bass, and drums.

An instrumental extravaganza to close an album, "Glass ½ Full 2012". When was the last time we heard that, maybe "Los Endos", or probably not that far back ...anyway, it's been a while. This one is a good one though.

This is a very good introduction to the band and created enough of an interest to make me want to search out their back catalog. The cover artwork will hypnotize you and all of the CD booklet art is just as good and mind bending. Nothing missing here. Original sounding art, with some nods to the past.

Track Listing:

1. The Sphinxter
2. Elements
3. The Mariner
4. Elegy for Christy
5. The Memory
6. Dreamscape 2012
7. Samuel 2012
8. Glass ½ Full 2012

Added: July 19th 2012
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: Slychosisprog
Hits: 3279
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]