Maybe it’s only with hindsight that you begin to understand how a band was always on the right path, but certain things needed to fall into place for them to realise their full potential. Take Danish Progressive Power Metal Pyramaze – kick-started by drummer Morten Gade Sørensen and quickly joined by American keyboardist Jonah Weingarten, it’s only when you look at the top quality albums that these two have been involved in since then, that you realise Pyramaze were always going to become a class act. Pyramaze were first fronted by Lance King (ex-Balance Of Power etc) and then Matt Barlow (ex-Iced Earth etc), but it was the addition of producer-supremo Jacob Hansen joining guitarist Toke Skjønnemand as well as handling bass duties in 2011 that gave the band another obviously positive edge. The final piece of vocalist Terje Harøy slotting into place on 2015’s “Disciples Of The Sun” really set the scene for the band’s future.
Type any of the current members of Pyramaze into a search and a myriad of performances on top notch Metal releases unfurl themselves, and you can be in no doubt that if you enjoy any types of Progressive, Power or Melodic Heavy Metal then you simply have to check out Pyramaze if you haven’t already. In truth though, although Pyramaze’s ultra-classy sound has been growing since day one, their current instantly recognisable guise has really been taking shape since that 2015 album, peaking (or so I thought) with 2020’s “Epitaph”. But it turns out, not peaked…still growing. Pyramaze have an incredible ability to take something that is based in the progressive, twist it around to make it accessible, yet maintain a depth and complexity that keeps you wanting to return. “Bloodlines” has this in spades. The memorable choruses hook you in and the masterful music keeps you coming back for more. Label-mates Borealis also have this talent, yet neither band could be mistaken for the other, such is their unique interpretation of this style and with both stopping short of a Symphony X type technical indulgence.
The mix of moods on “Bloodlines” isn’t immediately apparent, but further listens take you on a journey from Symphonic Rock to galloping Power Metal and back again via different avenues without being immediately aware that it’s done it. The songs are intricately, meticulously arranged to give maximum interest both musically and vocally, enhanced even further by guest appearances from guitarists Andrew Kingsley (Unleash The Archers), Olaf Morck (Amaranthe) and Tim Hansen (Induction, son of Kai Hansen), with the fabulous Melissa Bonny (Ad Infinitum) helping out with her wonderful vocals on the ballad-ish ‘Alliance’. “Bloodlines” is another resounding triumph for Pyramaze, pushing their now trade-mark sound even further and managing to produce another excellent collection of songs.
(9/10 Andy Barker)
Leave a Reply