THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT

Let's Just Mess Your Mind

I'm not a big-brain guy- that guy who can comprehend the mysterious mathematical subtleties, the philosophical underpinnings, the quantum possibilities inherent in the universe.

But I think someone in Chicago's THE CYBERIAM...well, he/they must be one.

The Butterfly Effect

Here in the second studio release from THE CYBERIAM, heavy progressive rock and mind-bending ideas intersect, via this extended twenty-one minutes, twelve seconds piece.

You know the basics, I'll bet- one tiny variance in one variable can exponentially affect the outcome. The butterfly in its infinitesimal flutterings in Brazil, can in its tiny way create the variance that ends up in a tornado, say in Kansas.

Five Movements

"The Event" opens with eerie keyboard and choral sounds fading in, then the trademark jaggedy guitar and bass riffs ably supported by drumming that sparkles yet never overpowers.

The opening riffs may go on a tad too long? Then, the mysterious, distant voice...leading to: "Ripples". Eerie sounds, then punchy basslines, heavy guitar, some wicked lead guitar, and some very dark sounds.

"Realization" kicks in with powerful riffs, and a wicked drum solo. There sort of a back and forth bass/guitar/drum dialogue, and we reprieve to the chorus of "The Event".

Kicking guitar riffs open "The Shape of Things to Come", and there is a maelstrom of full band movement. Keyboards add fullness and depth. Which leads to:

"A New Reality", opening once again with choral sounds. The guitar enters, and that punchy, resonant bass guitar. We hear electric piano, and the drums build the suspense. There are chiming keyboards and heavily reverb'd guitar.

The track builds inexorably, with that ear-worm chorus: "Wait to see what I would do again..." (mindbending, at least to a simple schmuck like me).

The intensity subsides and electric piano sparkles in a moody passage. The heavy guitar enters and it builds, only to subside into increasingly distant guitar, and closes in a fade.

Pros and Cons

These are some seasoned, skillful musicians, and I appreciate the heavy rocking plus the heavy ideas. On the "con" side, it stayed pretty much in one key, with some similar feel throughout- although there is certainly variation too. I'd have liked to hear some more virtuoso, up-tempo instrumental passages, kicking it loose.

In Conclusion

Good, skillful heavy progressive music, with some room to grow and mature, especially in building in virtuoso playing and some key changes. I'd give this one better than JUST three stars, not quite 4 stars, so 3.5 should do it.