SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SYKOFANT – LEAVES

SYKOFANT
LEAVES
SYCOPHANTASTIC RECORDS

Sykofant is a progressive rock band from Oslo, Norway, consisting of Emil Moen (guitar, vocals), Melvin Treider (drums), Per Semb (guitar), and Sindre Haugen (bass). Their new EP, Leaves, is actually part two of a two-part project which began last year with Red Sun. Both of the EPs have also been collected for an album release, Red Sun Leaves. But you need not worry, one can enjoy Leaves as a stand-alone EP. This is modern day prog rock. The three tracks on this EP take their time, and take the listener in several directions, musically and lyrically, but Sykofant always brings everything to a more than satisfactory conclusion.

Leaves opens with the beautiful, and sparse “Roots and Canopy,” which owes its sound a little to Pink Floyd, circa 1978. But Sykofant takes their time and evolves the song into their own distinct and unique sound. Their ability to slowly layer the sound is almost ambient but with an incredible melody. “The forest moves, but I am alone” sings Moen, with gentle piano and guitar, until the song explodes, for just a moment. Then, calm is restored. An epic way to open the proceedings. This takes the listener to “Mycelium March,” a very rocking and interesting instrumental.

The EP ends where it began. “Heart Of The Woods” harkens back to the opening track, “Roots and Canopy,” both musically and lyrically. It brings the whole EP to a conclusion. “Heart Of The Woods is a majestic rock symphony, minus an orchestra. “Underneath the stone lie all the dreams you carried”. Not necessarily a happy ending, but it certainly bookends the EP. The guitar and rhythm exchanges throughout the 12-min-plus piece is truly wonderful; at times loud and noisy, and then quiet and powerful in its silence.

Leaves is an incredible work. Sykofant proves that prog rock is far from dead, as there are a number of artists still creating and working within that genre. Sykofant happens to be extremely brilliant at creating new music. Leaves is original, full of strong melodies and takes the listener on a journey in sound. The combination of modern rock and the yearning for nature is something that is timeless. And lyrically, Sykofant deals with this constant struggle (and mortality gets thrown in too) very beautifully and eloquently. What more can one ask for from a prog rock project?

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