Canadian quartet PYRAMID THEOREM was formed in 2007, and made their debut with the EP “Voyage to the Star” the following year. Following this they started preparing material for their debut album “Pyramid Theorem” which was released in July 2012.
And in what appears to be a rather familiar story these days, we’re dealing with a band that have made themselves an accomplished and good quality initial effort. Progressive metal is the name of the game in this case, and as such productions go one that does venture a bit further into innovative landscapes than many others as well.
This disc opens with two fairly intense compositions, The Olde Knew and Forever in Chains. Both songs flaunting a certain Dream Theater influence, but also indicating that this is a band rather well versed with thrash metal as well. Possible traces of Metallica and Pantera to be found, and at least the latter of these are mentioned specifically as an influence by the band too. But even while exploring material of such a nature there’s also room for keyboard driven inserts sporting something of an Eastern, mystical sound here, as well as a gentler Rush-tinged sequence for the opening track and a neo-classcial oriented run for the following track.
Third song Another Day Slips By is a piece that should find lots of recognition by fans of late 80’s Rush, an all together gentler escapade in mood, sound and style, while epic length and mostly instrumental outing Primitive Design is a nice run through Dream Theater inspired movements first and foremost. And unlike many other bands with ample room for escapades of a more challenging nature included, not limiting their take on that particular sound to majestic keyboard and guitar riff combinations.
Most of these tendencies as well as a few gentler, almost pastoral progressive rock inserts makes up concluding composition The Dream. Kicking off in more of a late 70’s Rush style, an expression revisited later on, we’re taken on quite the ride with this one, alternating between classic progressive metal, gentler art rock escapades as well as the style first mentioned in a smooth, logical and intriguing manner, with a nifty guitar solo sequence backed by blues-oriented bass and drums as one of many details that makes a positive impression in the innovation and diversity department for yours truly.
Music of this kind demands good quality instrumentalists to succeed, especially on compositions with as many elongated instrumental movements as we’re dealing with in this case. And Pyramid Theorem is up to that task quite nicely, all members contribute details and more or less subtle nuances that craft and maintain tension and interest throughout.
If you tend to listen to classic progressive metal with the same level of interest as Canadian trio Rush in general and their late 70’s and early 80’s albums in particular, Pyramid Theorem is a band and an album you most likely should take notice of. In particular of you don’t mind their initial occasional forays into more aggressive realms.
My rating: 80/100
