PYRAMID THEOREM

Pyramid Theorem are a relatively young Canadian progressive metal band that released their self-titled debut in 2012, which contains five tracks with a total duration of 64 minutes (!). Canada is not the country where you would normally go to find 'traditional' progressive metal but these guys prove us wrong.

The Olde Knew kicks off as a dynamic power/epic metal track with galloping riffs before surprising mid-way through by turning into an oriental-influenced typical progressive metal track. Vocals are ''tuned'' with a touch of aggressiveness but the total package remains close to the heaviness of Dream Theater works. A couple of minutes before the end an operatic overture followed by a magnificent keyboard solo sums up and confirms the very positive start to this album.

The beginnning of Forever in Chains picks on a very interesting experimental/mid-tempo riff but the sequence leads to an American-power metal-derived theme (Armored Saint anyone?) with accompanying keyboards. Similar to the opening track, it calms down somewhere in the middle and adopts more progressive metal patterns with oriental influences (yet again) that provide a mysterious atmosphere and keyboard soloing. Long instrumental passages mean that the listener gets a good amount of virtuosity.

Another Day Slips By could well be described as the 'single' of the album, starting with acoustic guitars and continuing with melodic Rush-like distorted harmonies. The vocal lines remind me of Shadow Gallery as the majority of the song is developed on a mellow acoustic-guitar theme. The distorted sections appear towards the end to close it on a high note - clearly the most accessible tune in here.

The two longest tracks come towards the end, dominated by instrumental progressive metal. Primitive Design appears to be a split tribute to Fates Warning and Dream Theater all the way through its duration, while you will certainly not get bored by the multitude of riffs and tempo changes. The vocals on this and the ending track shift now towards the Ray Alder tone. The Dream starts off quite melodic, bearing a 70's aesthetic. The Rush influence returns as the riffs now carry a more rocking feeling while the operatic/epic elements of the opening tracks re-appear after 8 or so minutes to boost the cohesion. The rest of the 29 (!) minutes bring back "Scenes from a Memory" (a very vivid one).

All and all, Pyramid Theorem's debut is a worthy effort, technically complete and very strong production-wise. All the elements to make a good progressive metal album are there - somehow I felt that if this was made in the 90's, it would flirt with masterpiece status; however, the long duration of some tracks might trouble some and the profound similarity to established bands in the scene makes me challenge the originality (I have not found a lot to ''shock'' me) and give this strictly 3.5 stars.

Otherwise, this is a treat for fans who have not given up on 90's progressive metal. I am expecting an even better release in the future.