Spearheaded by artist Lance Sawyer, the progressive supergroup Pyramid was created from his co-operation with some of the best musicians of the metal scene like Tim Ripper Owens (ex-Judas Priest, ex-Iced Earth, among others), Andry Lagiou (The Harps), Harry Conklin “The Tyrant” (Jag Panzer) on vocals, Mike Abdow (Fates Warning) on guitars, Chris Quirarte (Redemption) on drums, Adam Bentley (Arch Echo) on guitars and mixing engineer, Joey Izzo (Arch Echo) on the keyboards and Perrine Missemer on the violin. With all these metal heavyweights coming together, Pyramid released 4 records to date, and today we’re gonna dig deep into their 2022 record Rage released via Sleaszy Rider Records, let’s get into it.
Pyramid opened Rage with the highly melodic theatrical big intro of Greed, promising a heavily progressive record ahead that doesn’t lack any dynamic flow. Tim Ripper Owens’ vocals work perfectly with the rocking wild guitar work, while the pounding drums push the groove forward, adding to the multi-layered ever-changing riffs. Greed is a relentless unstoppable tune with loads of guitar hero moments and acute sound shifts, producing an extremely enjoyable journey and nodding to an AOTY top contestant. Andry Laguio‘s powerful atmospheric vocals perfectly open the keyboard-driven Empty Roads, keeping the dynamics going while boosting the theatricals even more. With lyrics and sound that explore a more deep emotional ground, Empty Roads offers a more spacious structure with a big symphonic sound that moves in a smooth hooking progression, mixing solid riffs and heart-hitting rocking solos with Andry Laguio‘s remarkable delivery leading to a huge epic ending.
Steering towards a darker and heavier sound with Tim Ripper Owens back on vocals, the title track Rage comes next. Starting with a smooth build-up it moves forward with multiple layers and elements being introduced participating in its flowing progression, with guitars and vocals mainly handling its dynamic and powerfully melodic shifts, until it all cleverly comes together at one big outro. Beast comes next offering an interesting flow and top-notch progressions. Its solid structure seamlessly flows throughout all its twists and turns, with perfectly arranged subtle orchestrations and an extremely hooking vocal melody with perfect delivery and progression by Harry Conklin. The riffs engage in a tornado of complex breakdowns and powerful dynamic shifts, with bass, drums, and keyboards laying brilliant lines boosting the mood to the next level. Control hits next with intense relentless riffs and Tim Ripper Owens’ storming vocals. Things get more melodic as we move on while keeping the same energy and taking it up bit by bit in a ramp progression, till it all comes together in a classic symphonic huge sound. Picking up its predecessor’s pace and epicness, Magic comes next. Things get intense in this one, it has attacking riffs and expressive vocals in a solid structure that invites some symphonic elements to elevate the atmosphere without compromising the mood, strongly building up and keeping the listeners hooked and waiting for what’s next. Pyramid explores a slightly different tone in Tyranny, it has denser riffs with dark vibes that were multiplied because of its open sound. It has catchy guitar melodies with a powerful groove and an Eastern touch that shakes things up. I loved how they managed to introduce a twist into their sound while keeping their core energy and sense. Pyramid keeps the energy and heavy vibes going on Slayer, a hard-hitting tune with pounding sound, thick riffs, and hauntingly melodic guitar work. The Eastern melodies are there again, this time mixed with some bluesy guitar work in a unique mix that was unified by the solid progression and tight arrangement. Despite its complex well-crafted writing, Slayer is a pure heavy metal song with classic moments and irresistible headbanging ones, definitely one of my favorite songs off this record. Ending the record on a high note comes the epic piece Dungeons and Dragons. It opens with a classic building-up symphonic intro, preparing the listeners for the adventure they’re about to be part of. The verse hits hard, throwing us right into the pit, it keeps on escalating and smoothly pushing towards heavier and bigger sounding areas, with enough preparations to get the listeners on the edge of their seats. It has an ever-changing dynamic structure that shifts smoothly with clever twists and turns, giving each composition the space to be properly heard and digested, making this 20-minute piece feel like a 4-minute one with its interesting flow.
Rage is a complex, extremely entertaining musical journey by Pyramid. It has a heavy-driven sound that only moves forward, with storming energetic compositions and diverse melodic approaches that keep their sound fresh and organic, just what you’d expect from such an extraordinary supergroup. Will be looking forward to more, keep on rocking. Cheers!
