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Osyron - Momentous - Reviewed By rockportaal! Thursday April 27 2023, 2:56 PM

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Osyron - Momentous - Reviewed By rockportaal ! Check it out here at this link: https://www.rockportaal.nl/osyron-momentous/

And so it can happen again that an album from 2022 comes your way and you can't resist giving the album a good listen. The moment had arrived for Momentous, Osyron's new and third album. The band from Calgary plays progressive symphonic metal and released two albums during the pandemic. Foundations in 2020 and Kingsbane deluxe in 2021. It ensured that the band was able to build a nice fan base and Osyron was nominated for various awards.

However, Osyron has been around since 2012 when guitarist Krzysztof Stalmach and Bobby Harley moved to Calgary after making music together in Ontario for several years. The debut Harbinger dates from 2013. Only with Kingsbane in 2017 did it become clear which musical direction Osyron wanted to go. After Kingsbane, vocalist Reed Alton and bassist Tyler Corbett joined the band and their presence took the band to the next level. With the album Foundations, Osyron focused on Canadian history and culture. It was the first album with drummer Cody Anstey. Osyron also managed to put itself in the spotlight by releasing a metal version of the Canadian national anthem (O Canada).

Osyron's sound has evolved and cannot be placed in one specific genre and that is what makes Momentous such a special album. At first the intro of Annunaki tends to give the band a folk label with tribal influences. Soon Osyron moves more towards a band like Queensrÿche in terms of sound. The somewhat elongated vocals are mainly to blame for that. Singer Reed Alton has a pleasant timbre in his voice and the progressive/symphonic basis propels his singer further. The interplay of Krzysztof and Bobby fits together seamlessly and complements each other nicely.

Although single Dominion Day seems to continue in the same vein, Osyron has inserted a beautiful introverted piece of music in which singer Reed, supported by acoustic guitar playing, manages to capture the tension before the progressive input is brought forward again. And then he shows in more than four minutes that he can sing flawlessly, shine melodically, but can also grunt (and sreame). That subdued character from the beginning of the composition can be heard several times and the subcutaneous tension bursts open towards the end like a ripe pimple.

Via The Deafening you get to Landslide where the pace is increased considerably. The riffs hit it hard and drummer Cody can let off steam.

With the quiet Sorrow And Extinction, a turn seems to be taking place on the album. Sorrow And Extinction is more than just a ballad. The now familiar progressive sound gets a funky accent and only a subdued guitar solo and a few guitar notes make the difference. Beyond The Sun is without a doubt a composition by Osyron, but with a lick of sambal. Not too much but just enough to be spicier and more powerful. The guitar playing is a bit sharper and this gives the album a strong structure.

Awake is indeed the moment when you are further triggered. The contrasts are musically greater and therefore more captivating. The progressive elements have been greatly enlarged, while the basic sound of Osyron remains strong and recognizable.

I already mentioned that the band sound cannot simply be placed in one genre. That is clear in title track Momentous. The folkloric slant that is slightly present in Annunaki gets a longer continuation and the first four minutes are pleasant, campfire-like. The fire of this ignites the rest afterwards and invites Reed to a firm grunt that drummer Cody cannot stay behind. Osyron has given himself time in Momentous to properly work out the different styles and accents. From subdued and moving guitar playing to firm riffs that tend towards death metal and naturally return to the serene basis in a wavy movement.

Calmly recovering from Momentous you can do well with Prairie Sailor. Not quite my metal cup of tea. It seems like a kind of evergreen that can be sung as a hymn within folklore, looking out over the sea. However, the album closes boldly and powerfully with Beacons. Then that peering over the rippleless sea has not been for nothing. You will get all the elements from Osyron's sound for you to choose from.

Momentous is an album that was already released in November 2022, but somehow never got around. That's too bad. But in addition, wine also ripens well when it sits for a while. Momentous may now be served. Enjoy it. rockportaal

Release Date: November 4, 2022

FFO: Dream Theater, Queensryche, Into Eternity

Location: Calgary, AB, Canada

Short Bio: Osyron is a Canadian progressive symphonic metal band featuring powerful lyrics, complex melodies, and soaring clean vocals with additional contrasting vocal styles to enhance their music. They released two albums during the pandemic; Foundations (July 2020) and Kingsbane Deluxe Edition (May 2021) which grabbed the attention of critics and fans in Europe and North America. Together the albums spent 24 weeks with 37 appearances on the Canadian charts including #1 for August 2021 and Top Ten for 2021 on the National Loud Chart.

Foundations was nominated for the 2021 YYC Music Awards “Metal Recording of the Year”. Osyron took home the 2022 YYC Music Awards “Metal Recording of the Year” for Kingsbane Deluxe Edition. The band was also nominated for the 2022 Western Canadian Music Awards “Metal Band of the Year” along with Archspire, Trench and more.

Other recent highlights for Osyron include performing at Loud as Hell Festival in Drumheller, Canada in 2021 and 2022, their metal version of “O Canada” being chosen for a Destination Canada Ski Video,and receiving the FACTOR Canada Juried Sound Recording Grant. They have performed alongside such acts as Protest the Hero, Into Eternity, and The Agonist. Osyron’s exciting new album, Momentous, was released on November 4, 2022 on all streaming platforms. Watch for tour dates and festival appearances in 2023.

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