October 24, 2005 marked the release of the band's first full-length album, The Silvery Image . Response to the album was so good that the band was signed to Nightmare Records and followed up with the release of their next album, A Great Divide, in March 2007. This effort was more diverse in every sense of the word: long, complicated passages are offset by simpler and shorter pieces; straightforward rhythms alongside super-imposing odd time meters; microtonal clusters and just intonation works around and between 12TET. Listeners will note a balance and interplay of heavy riffs, lush and delicate as well as dissonant/energetic orchestral parts, classic prog and a tasteful use of pastiche. The album hit the top 2007 prog metal album charts on websites such as USA Progressive Music, ProgPalaceRadio.com , and Beyond Ear Candy .
To further their goal to develop and perfect their fusion of varied musical inspirations and influences, Suspyre has recorded a third album, When Time Fades… which will be released on Sensory Records on September 30, 2008. This album is a groovier piece of art with a bit more metallic crunch, and even more variety in the song styles, including an acoustic piece. No one can accuse this band of being formulaic in their composing. When Time Fades… has set the bar even higher than the band's previous albums, not only in music creation but also in the artwork done by Gustavo Sazes (Firewind, Dark Empire, Mystic Prophecy) , and featured guest artists that include drummer Charlie Zeleny (Behold the Arctopus, Blotted Science, Jordan Rudess), and female vocalist Trisha O'Keefe (Amaran's Plight). |
-April in the Fall (composed '05, recorded '06, Music: Rossetti, Lyrics: Barton): Scored for 6- and 7-string guitars, fretless guitar, 5-string bass, drum set, vocals, PVC pipes, MIDI orchestra (strings and piano). This track is the first section of the first movement of the second concept song that is on A Great Divide. It's darker, heavier, and more diverse than pretty much anything else we've done so far. This song sets up the motives that you will hear repeatedly throughout the other movements.
-Subliminal Delusions (composed '05, recorded '06, Music Rossetti, Lyrics: Barton): Scored for 6- and 7-string guitars, 5-string bass, drum set, vocals, MIDI orchestra (strings and piano), and tabla. This is the second part of the second half of A Great Divide, called "The Origin of a Curse." You will hear some motives taken from April in the Fall. This song is powerful and angry, with enough ethnic influences (using the 5th mode of harmonic minor and a sampled tabla) and odd times (some 11/8) to give it a progressive feel. And yes, that's a mobile phone being used against the pickups in that one guitar solo.
-The Spirit (composed '05, recorded '06, Music Rossetti, Lyrics: Barton): Scored for acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide guitar, 6-string fretless bass, alto saxophone, drum set, vocals (male and female), and MIDI orchestra (strings and piano). This song, from the section of A Great Divide entitled "The Alignment of Galaxies," portrays our mellow side. With the exception of the first four measures being in 5/4, this song is in 4/4; its progressive side comes from the use of a saxophone and multiple harmonic changes. After the pedal on a Bmajor-add2-add4 chord and slippery chromatic intro, the song explores the keys of G major, E minor, C minor, and B minor, and ultimately ends in C major. Sit back and enjoy. (Female vocals by Ceara Crandall-Johnson)
-Last of the Survivors (composed '02, recorded '05, Music: Rossetti, Lyrics: Barton): Scored for 6- and 7-string guitars, 5-string bass, drum set, vocals, MIDI orchestra (strings), synths (square wave). This song is off of The Silvery Image, our first full-length. It is a fusion of traditional speed/power metal mixed with touches of chromaticism and odd-times.
-Crimson Shade (composed '04, recorded '07, Music: Rossetti, Lyrics: Barton): Scored for 6-string guitars, bass, drum set, vocals, MIDI orchestra (strings), SATB choir (MIDI). This track is a bonus track off of The Silvery Image 2008 edition. Originally, it was written on a commission by ex-bassist Kirk, who "challenged" Gregg to write a song all in 4/4 time without changing keys, except for a few accidentals in the bridge. Interesting facts: Most of the guitars were recorded on a Gibson ES-333 semi-hollow body, and the drums are programmed.
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