SYRINX

SYRINX     “Time Out Of Place”

By Dr. Abner Mality

I wonder if the hallowed halls of SYRINX’s practice space are lined with Great Computers…

Yes, we got ourselves some 24 karat 70’s RUSH fans here...and how! One look at their promo picture, complete with frilly white shirts, will convince you they stepped out of a wormhole connected to 1978. That’s cool with me, I’m a huge fan of 70’s RUSH, but you are setting yourself a VERY high bar when you call your band SYRINX.

This is a true artifact. “Time Out Of Place” is a true prog rock album...there’s plenty of loud guitar, but almost no actual metal. Their style is not riff-based but built on the actual progression of the song from one mood to another. A lot of modern bands that claim inspiration from RUSH actually sound a lot more like DREAM THEATER or QUEENSRYCHE. Not these guys. They don’t sound like anything past 1980. I can hear other 70’s proggers like NEKTAR and GENTLE GIANT in their meandering tunes, as well as the more mystical moments of ZEPPELIN.

It’s good in a nostalgic way, but there is something about SYRINX’s songwriting that just doesn’t hook me. The songs are not overly long, but tracks like “The Knowing” and “Shades of Your Purpose” actually sound longer than they are. “Meandering” is a good description, which is not bad if you like meandering music. Simply put, the hooks of SYRINX are not close to the same level as RUSH’s. I also find the vocals of J.P. Abboud to be off-putting in spots. He has a nasal voice but not in the same vein as Geddy’s. Sometimes he just sounds shrill.

I do enjoy the album for the nostalgic feeling it gives me. There is a synth solo in “A Waking Dream” that sounds so much like something pulled from the “Hemispheres” or “Farewell To Kings” album, it brought tears to my eyes. The bass playing is amazing throughout...very fat and juicy. I like the bright “ringing” tone of the guitar a lot as well. I just wish there were more memorable hooks for it to accompany..

The best stuff comes early. I loved the bass-driven intro “Mitosis” (Second Light) and the first two tracks “1875” and “The Master’s Host” are the most engaging. The only track I would call pure metal is the “Unraveler”. Despite the “FFO” list boasting the name of JUDAS PRIEST, nothing here sounds remotely like PRIEST...even their early trippy stuff. SYRINX is 70’s prog reborn in its purest form and recommended to fans of that style. But fans of fast and heavy metal, be warned...

SYRINX