Since forming in 2012 from the ashes of such bands as Fifth Season, Inner Sanctum, and Twisted Autumn Darkness, the primary concern of Norwich, England’s SynaptiK has been musical intensity. They definitely have a knack for fusing technical sophistication with traditional metal sonorities such as blast beats; powerful riffs; and screaming, Priest-styled melodic vocals. In March of 2016, SynaptiK recorded their sophomore album with Meyrick de la Fuente at Floodgate Studios in London, and this is what I am now listening to. I never heard their 2014 debut ‘The Mechanisms of Consequence’, but now I am seriously wondering what I was missing out on. This is a truly stunning album, bringing together influences from bands as diverse as Queensrÿche, Nevermore, Threshold, Evergrey and even Protest The Hero!
It is heavy, it is progressive, it is intense and wonderfully compelling. John Knight is a great singer, Kev Jackson and Pete Loades tie up the rhythm section, and provide a platform for Ian Knight and Jack Murton to riff as one, or drop in Maiden-esque duets when the timing is right. It is the sheer tightness of this album that makes such a difference – they know what they are doing, trust each other implicitly, and deliver a high-octane result each and every time. This is easily one of the most important progressive metal albums I have come across for some time. For more details visit http://synaptikmetal.com/
