SYZYGY (USA) - The Allegory of Light
Originally going by the name of Witsend (they had to change due to another group having the same name, which beckons the question how no other band is named Syzygy?) these guys released a varied, mostly instrumental and highly enjoyable album in The Allegory of Light which bears marks of greats like Rush, ELP, King Crimson and other greats of the past and present.
Here's their PA bio so you can have a bit more idea:
Post ABRAXAS (USA) and WITSEND (USA) they change their name to SYZYGY because "the group discovered it had never technically secured the rights of the name WITSEND and someone nabbed it over the last few years." They began as a duo in the beginning of the 80's (Carl and Sam) playing in a band called ABRAXAS doing covers in a 'distinctive heavy handedness' across the midwest. They eventually splitt for a short moment allowing to them time to focus on their musical's studies. Carl and Sam wanted to move to a more progressive way, they were joined by two talented players, drummer Roman Zmudzinski and bass player Gary Prebie. The quatuor worked at that time on some musical ideas that Sam and Carl had been working on buit the band shortly disbanded because of the 'tedious developmental stage' of the band. Carl Baldassarre: electric, acoustic, and classical guitars, guitar synthesizer, bass guitar and vocals on track 2, 6
- Sam Giunta: piano, synthesizers - Paul Mihacevich: drums & percussions and vocals (Track 1) - All Rolik : bass (track 2, 7)
Sam and Carl pursuit their work, and were joined by Paul Mihacevich a neighbor of Sam alittle bit later, he was the guy, WITSEND is now a trio in which Sam take the bas parts in one hand and the keyboards' parts on the other hand, he still share the bass part with Carl today.
The first CD 'Cosmos and Chaos' was out in 1993. "Since that time they, the guys have been busy studying, writting, recording and most important raising families (9 Kids between the three family). So it's the life, it take ten years to recorded and release the second CD 'Allegory of Light'. By the way the band change their name to SYZYGY but it's the same band. (Taken from the official biography). Want to read more from SYZYGY log in on to -http://www.syzygymusic.com/Bios/History.htm
"If you like these bands.... Legendary; BRAND X, CURVED AIR, DEEP PURPLE, ELP, GENESIS, GENTLE GIANT, JETHRO TULL, KING CRIMSON, UK, YES, ZAPPA and contemporaries; DREAM THEATER, FLOWER KINGS, OSI, PLANET X, PORCUPINE TREE, SPOCK'S BEARD, TRANSATLANTIC, LED ZEPPELIN, RUSH, ECHOLYN and maybe much more. You should like SYZYGY !
: : : Atomique – Hruaia, INDIA : : :
They are working on new material but it will take time until a new album will be released (titled Realms Of Eternity).
Reviews of the album:
SYZYGY (USA) "The Allegory of Light " reviews(ratings with reviews of more than 200 characters)
Collaborators Reviews
SYZYGY (USA) — The Allegory of Light Review by Dan Bobrowski SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
 This disc recieved my nod for "Album of the Year - 2003." Mostly instrumental, it has that quality of Darkness (Heavy) and Light (subtle) that holds a listeners attention and makes you WANT to listen. The vocals, though weak, are expressive and don't taint the overall picture of the music.
Syzygy started out as Witsend in 1993 and released Cosmos and Chaos, an equal in quality performance, but had to change the name after someone else nabbed it up prior to their copywriting the name. Unfortunate, but I personally like the name Syzygy better.
M.O.T.H. (Master of the House) starts off with some stunning keyboard work remeniscient of ELP, very bombastic. It slows to the acoustic lines which support some spiritual lyrics, uplifting and sung with reverance. The tunes surges with the ebb and flow of power and grace. Beggar's Tale and Forbidden, the other two tracks featuring vocals, are small bits of folkish couterpoints to the largely energetic soloing throughout the other pieces.
The epic instrumental's: Industryopolis, Journey to Myrrdin and Zinjanthropus occassionally get very heavy when guitarist Carl Baldasarre unleases Petrucci-like leads that shake the house, but he follows through with acoustic panache to off-set the hard edges. Keyboardist Sam Guinta varies his styles and textures to create a cornucopia of influences and he too, keeps you guessing about what is coming around the next turn. Drummer Paul Mihacevich plays old school Carl Palmer, heavy on the snare, style drums.
Symphonic? Yes. Prog-Metal, close (at times) and may even be enjoyed by metal fans. Powerhouse? You bet.
Posted Thursday, January 08, 2004, 12:40 EST | Permanent link
SYZYGY (USA) — The Allegory of Light Review by Prognut (Jose Gabriel) PROG REVIEWER
I am a prog nut in all the sense, not really much in to prog-metal (with some exceptions). The Allegory of Light gets heavy at times but not that much for my taste (Thank God). There is something on this album that can not put my finger on it, but make my juices going. A fantastic discovery for me and probably without a doubt one of the top 10 best releases of last year and a fantastic way to end 2003. They probably are crazy fans of early Yes, but being said that Syzygy has make a personal and unique statement and that is what make this CD special. This comes to show that still in this time, people can make prog music at the level of the 70' without being imitators or clones. This is pure prog-Rock rigth in your face but, plenty of soft and mellow passages (Thank God again) and will probably can become a classic. I personally believe that the long instrumental suites are the best and to complement this the album come in a very nice packing and has a very good production overall. Very good/4stars.
Posted Sunday, March 28, 2004, 11:35 EST | Permanent link
SYZYGY (USA) — The Allegory of Light Review by Sean Trane (Hugues Chantraine) SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog-Folk Specialist
 well this album I bought on word of mouth and written reviews in specialized press (something I usually try not to do without having heard it) and was actually fairly disappointed . If anybody is interested in acquiring my fully legit cd , I can maybe send it for say € 10.
Don't get me wrong , this is a fine album impeccably played, fine produced and full of great interplay and it must've taken an incredibible amount of time , effort and money to make it. By the way , I did not find much prog metal into this album but some high energy prog moments.
So where is the problem , you ask? Well, for the fact that I have not heard a single moment on this album not being derivative of another group. This makes it yet another umpteenth soul-less modern prog album , collaging moments from Yes , Kansas , Flour Kings (intended pun) and others but none from Syzygy itself. I mean the first one to have done such a thing (and superbly succeeded at it, because it was new and almost original) were Anglagard some thirteen (already?!?!?) years ago . Anglagard were absolutely inventive and even brought their own personal touches (not least singing in Swedish) which is where the difference lies in between Hybris and this album presently reviewed - Personality, inventiveness.
Since then , there has been countless albums doing just that (not least or last Flower Kings) but not being a clone band either - since they take their style from more than one band. The music meanders (however brilliantly executed ) pointlessly until one feels it is time for a sung verse and more movement "pasted on" until a brilliantly clicheed but grandiose finale.
For the cd , please contact Progarchives for my address.
Posted Thursday, January 13, 2005, 04:05 EST | Permanent link
Guests Reviews
SYZYGY (USA) — The Allegory of Light Review by artimuscomehome
Syzygy, the band reformed from Witsend, delivers a catchy, intelligent, and interesting mostly-instrumental record. This album is ideal to any fan of The Flower Kings, Gentle Giant, The Moody Blues, and Van Der Graff Generator. It is difficult to put a finger on exactly what trhey sound like, though they are somewhere between Gentle Giant, ELP and Jethro Tull, providing a few classical guitar/folk songs. The first song, M.O.T.H., highlights the band's lyrical and musical talent. The instrumentals are high-quality, catchy, and showcase Carl Baldassarre's extraordinory guitar talent. If you buy this record, expect to be amazed, drawn before the feet of 20 minute songs and the work of a true musical giant.
Posted Thursday, October 28, 2004, 16:15 EST | Permanent link
SYZYGY (USA) — The Allegory of Light Review by Squire Jaco
“The Allegory of Light” is the second album from the Ohio-based trio known as Syzygy. (Their fist album was recorded under the band name Witsend.) These guys are all exceptional talents on their respective instruments. I love the driving, inventive drumming of Paul Mihacevich - reminds me most often of Neal Peart, though his own list of influences includes primarily jazz or fusion drummers. Sam Giunta’s keyboards mostly have that Keith Emerson presence to them. And Carl Baldassarre plays most of the lead and melody lines using a wide guitar palette - from acoustic Steve Howe to near-metal John Petrucci.
I characterize most of this music as “psyche” music that shifts and bends along its path at high speed, sometimes slowing to mellow acoustic, and then accelerating again to cruising pace, showing sophistication and inventiveness all the way. Detractors have complained about the vocals and the overall lack of originality in composition. I disagree on both counts - Paul’s vocals may be a bit on the timid side, but he sings in a clear, pleasant manner, and most of the cd is instrumental anyway; and I wish reviewers would quit slamming new artists for similarities in songwriting style - Syzygy has its own unique sound, even while writing in the style of many of the 1970’s prog giants (without ever copying a single riff or lick from their idols). To put this point into perspective, music critics of the late 1700’s and 1800’s were probably NOT complaining about the 41st symphony of Mozart, or the 5th piano concerto of Beethoven, or the 14th string quartet of Dvorak, etc.
If I had any complaint at all, it would be the absence of a prominent bass player (which is one of my favorite instruments). It’s usually played on Giunta’s keyboard or bass pedals, or dubbed in by Baldassarre on some tracks. These guys are so good and the musical atmosphere is so thick that you hardly notice the missing prog bass. (Note: The latest postings on their website suggest that they now have a dedicated bass player for their forthcoming album. Yay!)
My personal favorites on this cd are “M.O.T.H.” (Master of the House), “Zinjanthropus” and the epic closer “The Journey of Myrrdin”. Over 62 minutes of excellent music here. Recommended along with their debut Witsend album called “Cosmos and Chaos” - no respectable prog head should be without the songs “Strange Loop II” or the mighty “Mount Ethereal”!
Posted Thursday, April 26, 2007, 14:27 EST | Permanent link
More reviews & Links:
1. M.O.T.H. (11:20)
2. Beggar:s tale (2:47)
3. Distant light (5:35)
4. Zinjanthropus (12:31)
5. Industryopolis (6:33)
6. Forbidden (3:22)
7. Light speed (2:58)
8. The journey of Myrrdin (17:29)
Total Time: 62:35
Line-up/Musicians
- Carl Baldassarre / guitars, guitar synth, bass, vocals
- Sam Giunta / piano, synthesizers
- Paul Mihacevich / drums, percussion, vocals
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