From Oslo, Sykofant’s self-titled debut was a powerful highlight of 2024. You can read my review by clicking on the button below:
I am extremely happy to report to you that the momentum garnered from that release has not been wasted, and they return to delight our musical senses with a brand-new EP, Red Sun, which is released on March 20th. I have already played the title track on my Progzilla Radio show of 1st March, and the feedback was very positive in the live chat room.
There is depth, complexity, and some huge melodies. Ambitious in its scope, and a work which will appeal to lovers of progressive, classic, and jazz-infused rock, you can order this at https://sykofantband.bandcamp.com/album/red-sun-ep There is 23 minutes of music here from Emil Moen (guitar, vocals), Melvin Treider (drums), Per Semb (guitar), and Sindre Haugen (bass), and the exciting news is that a second EP will be released later on this year to form a whole album which will be available in physical form.
Okay then, let’s go. We start with Ashes. The opening notes remind me of some of the more disturbing sounds you used to hear back in the day from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop on shows such as Doctor Who, or perhaps some of Sabbath’s early work, before the deep riffs kick in with a guitar loop above. As the track progresses, you find yourself head nodding and toe tapping to what this band do so well, that melding of classic and post rock sensibilities that made the debut so impressive. The beat is catchy, despite the theme of the stranger being dragged to the large temple for all to see, hereupon the notes take on a distinctly mystical timbre, the lyrics carrying with them the contradiction of wanting to stay but urging the Father to leave him. The final instrumental passage again has that wonderful blend I mentioned before. Think the classic Deep Purple lineup transported from their youth to 2025, and I think you are there.
The title track of the EP is next and is embedded below for you. The lyrics speak of a life-changing transformative event, or “a different kind of game now”. Six minutes of quality music, much of which has a dreamy element, an interesting blend of Americana and classic psych-infused waves of sound, and the guitar roll leading to the emotional solo screaming out the speakers is great. The final minute is an interesting jam between the fret protagonists.
We close with Embers, a reflective theme with daylight fading, and lingering reflections as the embers of the fire warm the night but also inviting shadows. It is the longest piece at nine minutes, and there is a complexity to the group interaction in the opening passage, with the drum work particularly prominent. There are some good vocal harmonies within the mix, Zep-inspired riffs with eastern mysticism fused with soaring notes and noises make this never anything less than fascinating before the halfway mark heralds deeper, heavier, chugging riffs, the soundscape filling the room in an explosion of noise. The guitar solo, introducing the final couple of minutes, heralds vocal chants and the whole passage taking on a dystopian hue, the final notes ghostly as they fade, and I take this as essentially leaving us hanging for the promised sequel later this year, which I am really looking forward to.
Sykofant has taken its impressive debut forward and up a notch, confirming to these ears their status as a very important element in the modern progressive rock scene, taking influences, yes, but transforming them into something thoroughly fresh and reflective of the world we live in now.
Very highly recommended.