Album Review: Lineage by SCYTHIA
Lineage is SCYTHIA’s fourth independently produced album and it is scheduled to be released on May 4, 2016. The self-produced effort features engineering from Nino Laurenne (Firewind, Finntroll, Wintersn, Ensiferum) and Lasse Lammert (Alestrom, Gloryhammer, Powerwolf) with mastering from Svante Forsback (Rammstein, Volbeat, Firewind, Apocalyptica). Lineage was recorded in Lubeck, Germany and Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland.
This progressive power metal (with a twist of folklore) quartet has been playing and recording together since 2008. The band is Dave Khan (guitars, vocals), Terry Savage (bass guitar, growls), AJ Bergin (guitars, growls/vocals) and Celine Derval (drums, vocals). SCYTHIA has developed its own unique sound which draws influences from many different musical genres, such as Celtic/gypsy folk music, power metal, death metal and progressive rock. These influences can be heard in the pounding drum track that is overlaid with speed metal guitar work and big, almost opera-sized vocals. The music is entrenched in the storytelling style that is more prevalent in opera than in metal, but this juxtaposition works well and the music features rich, poetic grand tales that captures the imagination of the listener.
“With Lineage, we feel that we’ve put our best foot forward and succeeded in delivering a follow-up to that progresses upon what we started with …Of Conquest,” states guitarist and vocalist Dave Khan. “This new one is faster, heavier and SLIGHTLY more serious-toned but also more dynamic and original than its predecessor. This story will take the listener on a sonic voyage through peaks and valleys in true power metal style!”
Khan’s words are not hyperbole, the tracks on Lineage are fast and bold with the strong vocals taking the listener on a trip back in time to a much rougher, more war-like time. Even so, there are pretty melodies and soulful guitar work that provides a welcome counterpoint to the rolling drums and pounding bass.
SCYTHIA’s name is an homage to vocalist/guitarist Dave Khan’s infatuation with ancient Slavic imagery and melodies inspired from Balkan music. The name is fitting for a grandiose sound as SCYTHIA is also an ancient empire spanning from the Caucasus through Russia, and even into eastern Scandinavia. This music is big and bold, it definitely takes progressive rock to a new level with its almost medieval melodies and harmonies. With the help of the cover art for Lineage, you can picture knights heading off to war and/or crusade – this is the soundtrack of heroes.
The band will be touring the Canada and the US in support of Lineage. Confirmed Canadian tour dates are:
April 16 – Red Deer, AB @ The Vat
May 4 – Calgary, AB @ Dicken’s Pub -Official Album Release Party w/ Thunderstone and Viathyn
May 6 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theater w/Thunderstone, Titans Eve, Terrifier and Mournir
May 7 – Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room – Shredmonton Festival w/ Dying Fetus, Goatwhore, Acacia Strain, Black Crown Initiate and Thunderstone
Aug 19 – Edmonton, AB @ DV8 Aug 25-28 – Valemount, BC – Metalocalypstick Festival
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