Howling Sycamore - Seven Pathways to Annihilation (Prosthetic Records)
Howling Sycamore are in a way, an underground super group with members from Ephel Duath, Watchtower and Necrophagist joining forces back in 2018 in order to add their unique voice to the modern scene of extreme progressive music. With a heavy backlog on their backs - mainly Grossmann and McMaster - from their tenures at Necrophagist, Obscura and Watchtower respectively but also with the valuable contribution of Davide Tiso from the Italian avant-garde band, Ephel Duath, the band released in quick succession two excellent albums, the self-titled debut in 2018 and their sophomore effort "Seven Paths to Annihilation" in 2019.
Here, the band impresses newcomers by combining extreme guitar and drum elements with theatrical/over-the-top vocals by McMaster, creating an "uncomfortable" and at the same time hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. Tiso, as the band's mastermind, develops the sound he started with Ephel Duath, softening several of the elements from Howling Sycamore's debut, which contributes to the better overall tightness of this record compared to its predecessor. There are no "radio hits" to be found here, as the album is quite "cerebral", requiring concentration from its audience to perceive the multi-layered compositions presented here. This is a labour of love from these musicians, attempting (and many times succeeding) at pushing the boundaries of prog music and showing how to intergrate new elements in it, keeping it fresh and interesting for the challenges of the future!
93.5/100
Below is the official audio track for "Mastering Fire"
Here, the band impresses newcomers by combining extreme guitar and drum elements with theatrical/over-the-top vocals by McMaster, creating an "uncomfortable" and at the same time hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. Tiso, as the band's mastermind, develops the sound he started with Ephel Duath, softening several of the elements from Howling Sycamore's debut, which contributes to the better overall tightness of this record compared to its predecessor. There are no "radio hits" to be found here, as the album is quite "cerebral", requiring concentration from its audience to perceive the multi-layered compositions presented here. This is a labour of love from these musicians, attempting (and many times succeeding) at pushing the boundaries of prog music and showing how to intergrate new elements in it, keeping it fresh and interesting for the challenges of the future!
93.5/100
Below is the official audio track for "Mastering Fire"
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