Myriad: Specter, Fate & Fable

Myriad is a New York based trio having released their second album Specter, Fate, & Fable in 2012. The band was formed in 1995 by guitarist/vocalist Ed Moehring. After enlisting the help of Tom Spagna on drums, bassist Brian Cohen soon joined the fold. Spagna was eventually replaced by Pat Bascunan. The band's first album Natural Elements was released in 2004 and from what I've read had a fairly heavy Rush influence. The band also carries on the tradition of no keyboards although the sound is augmented with guitar/bass synthesizer.

After listening a few times to Specter, Fate, & Fable, it is safe to say the Rush influence is indeed alive and well, especially on the album opener "Beyond This Realm – Part 1", the beginning of a three part suite, recalling late '80s/early '90s Rush in a big way. Meoehring has a pleasant enough voice that suits the music well and both he and Cohen lay down some tasty grooves. "Part 3" is a little more calming with lyrical guitar and an overall slower tempo.

The band really does well to plant an earworm with the exceptionally melodic "Always I Know". It's an uplifting melodic rock tune with enough proggier moments to keep things interesting. The bass work and vocals are particularly effective. The band kick it up a couple of notches with the heavier "33 To The Surface", an instrumental featuring excellent guitar work and a tight rhythm section. It's a slightly angular sound, maybe even a little Crimsonesque in places, as well as influenced by the aforementioned Rush.

The album's second epic is the seventeen minute "The Eternal Spring". Again, the Rush influence is fairly obvious, more late '70s than 80s though. The band does a great job injecting heavier moments into slower soundscapes creating a very progressive sound in the process. Excellent track!

Specter, Fate, & Fable is a very good album and although the Rush influence is easily recognizable, Myriad are excellent musicians with a fine sense of melody and tunesmith. If you like Rush it's a no-brainer. Go out and get it.

Track Listing:
1. Beyond This Realm – Part 1 (10:40)
2. Beyond This Realm – Part 2 (9:09)
3. Beyond This Realm – Part 3 (3:07)
4. Always I Know (7:07)
5. Eva (1:45)
6. 33 To The Surface (3:59)
7. Special K (2:14)
8. The Eternal Spring (17:44)
9. Tomorrow The Sun (4:30)

Added: June 10th 2013
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Official Site
Hits: 2505
Language: english

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