There's a new player on the progressive rock/metal scene folks, and that band is New York's very own Pareidolia, who have made quite the statement on their self-released debut Denied Truths. This album is so impressive that I can't imagine labels such as InsideOut, Sensory, Nightmare Records, Lion Music, and the like not banging on their doors in the very near future looking to sign them up. Blending styles from acts like Dream Theater, Symphony X, Styx, Kansas, and Yngwie Malmsteen, Pareidolia offer up sizzling musicianship, catchy melodies, and soaring vocals for a sound that is a can't miss for any fan of hard rocking progressive music.
The band are comprised of vocalist Chandler Mogel, guitarist Steve Dadaian, drummer Ryan Bertone, and bassist Jon-Michael Caldwell, each one a virtuoso in their own right, but together the magic & synergy is instantly realized. On first listen, tracks such as "Quench the Fire", "Leave Me Alive", and "Betrayed Within" (the opening trio) are immediately accessible, with engaging vocal melodies, intricate arrangements, and Dadaian's sizzling guitar work assaulting the ears with splendid results. The crushing "Redeemed" contains some of the albums heaviest riffs and also Dadaian's blistering lead work (he's a guitar hero in the making, without a doubt), but Mogel does his part to keep the song instantly memorable with his powerful & addicting delivery. Fans of complex prog-metal will certainly love "Die Living", "A Part of Me", and "Lie to the Angels", as well as the daring two-part "Voices", but it's the groove laden "Ten-Ton Halo" that shows the versatility of this young band, as they dive into thrashy, almost Pantera styled arrangements complete with more scorching Dadaian guitar riffs. Keyboards play a part on the album, used sparingly for color on some tracks by Thomas Frost, and it will be interesting to see if the band decide to make them more a part of their sound in the future, as they do on the proggy "Risen", a real throwback to acts such as Styx and Kansas.
Though with 13 tracks Denied Truths is a bit on the long side, there's no boring moments and each song stands out on its own and is easily accessible yet adventurous at the same time. Pareidolia show the ability to combine crushing, complex prog-metal with fantastic vocal hooks (as on the excellent closer "Kiss the Glass") for a style that should see them find plenty of genre success for years to come. Highly recommended!
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1) Quench the Fire
2) Leave Me Alive
3) Betrayed Within
4) Redeemed
5) Die Living
6) Lie to the Angels
7) All As One
8) Voices I. Introduction
9) Voices II. Wasting Water
10) Ten-Ton Halo
11) A Part of Me
12) Risen
13) Kiss the Glass
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