Syzygy - The Allegory Of Light


Year of Release: 2003
Label: Sygyzy Music Enterprises
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 62:49:00

Alright, damn it, I?m started to get tired of this; for the umpteenth time this year, I?m flabbergasted! I never fail to be amazed at just how much great music is being produced and released by independent artists, and my latest mind-blowing discovery in the indie category is The Allegory Of Light, the second release from Syzygy (their first album was released as Witsend in 1992). A vastly talented and passionate trio from Ohio, Syzygy has combined their skills and a plethora of influences to produce one of progressive rock?s highlight albums of 2003.

Whatever your taste in progressive rock, you?ll find it on The Allegory Of Light. Lengthy, multi-part epics, challenging time signatures, spot-on ensemble playing, and inspired solos, it?s all here to satiate your progressive palate. Making The Allegory Of Light even more special is an intensity (maybe that should be fury) that lends a spiciness to the performances that is rarely heard on recorded works. That is, The Allegory Of Light kicks ass! And that?s because, Syzygy is a group whose progressive inclinations are driven by a rock ?n? roll heart, not the other way around (as is often the case). Even the lengthiest of songs (?M.O.T.H?, ?Zinjanthropus?, ?The Journey Of Myrrdin?) are chockfull of rock ?n? roll power. Not heavy metal, but honest-to-god heavy rock that recalls the youthful energy of Styx, Rush, Kansas, Yes, Jethro Tull, Queen, Gentle Giant, and Sugarloaf. (Secretly, I like to believe that I hear a bit of Kiss in there!)

Of course, The Allegory Of Light is not all nut-busting rock. The folky opening of ?M.O.T.H," ?Beggar?s Tale? with its classical guitars, and the gentle piano/synthesizer passages at the end of ?The Journey Of Myrrdin? provide welcome and necessary respites from the otherwise all-rock assault.

But, ultimately, it is Syzygy?s rock ?n? roll attitude that launches The Allegory Of Light over the top and into the progressive rock stratosphere. If you?re looking for high-energy prog without the heavy metal headache, take of whiff of The Allegory Of Light and get ready for a head rush!

Did I mention that The Allegory Of Light kicks ass?


Tracklisting:
The Allegory Of Light: M.O.T.H. (11:20) / Beggar?s Tale (2:47) / Distant Light (5:35) / In The Age Of Mankind: Zinjanthropus (12:31) / Industryopolis (6:33) / Forbidden (3:22) / Light Speed (2:58) / The Journey Of Myrrdin (17:29)

Musicians:
Carl Baldassarre - guitars, guitar synth, bass guitar; vocals (2, 6)
Sam Giunta - piano, synthesizers
Paul Mihacevich - drums, percussion; vocals (1)

Discography:
Witsend - Cosmos And Chaos (1993)
The Allegory Of Light (2003)
Realms Of Eternity (2009)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin US

Added: February 22nd 2004
Reviewer: David Cisco
Score:
Artist website: www.syzygymusic.com
Hits: 3964
Language: english

  

[ Back to Reviews Index | Post Comment ]