ALBUM OF THE WEEK # 173 CYNTHESIS - DeEVOLUTION (2011)

[RJhog (Admin)]

I have a little bit different format for you this week.  I'm not really in the mood for a regular post, so this is what you get.  It's the debut album by the Progressive Metal band Cynthesis entitled DeEvolution.  This is album one of a trilogy that will be explained below.  I'm simply gonna copy/paste some info from the band's website.  Give it a try.  As far as I'm concerned, it's an okay listen.  Nothing earth shattering, but not bad at all.  And this will be a companion piece to my New Music Corner post of album two in the trilogy that has recently been released.

Cynthesis consists of:

Jasun Tipton | Guitars and Keys 
Troy Tipton | Bass 
Erik Rosvold | Vocals 
Sean Flanegan | Drums 

DeEvolution to ReEvolution Storyline: 

"... a shaman is someone who has been to the end, it's someone who knows how the world really works, and knowing how the world really works means to have risen outside, above, beyond the dimensions of ordinary space, time, and casuistry, and actually seen the wiring under the board, ... to yield systems of knowledge which can be brought back into ordinary social space for the good of the community..." Re-Evolution by Terence McKenna 



An elite group of leaders from a heavily industrialized city find, brainwash, and exploit an indigenous tribes shaman. Believing he would be the perfect supreme leader they prop him up as possessing all the answers to societies ills.  Religion, Media, Consumerism, and Government controls are all used to gain more influence over the masses.

The Man Without Skin
A man ventures out in search of help because his tribe is dying from a strange illness. One of the symptoms of the disease is that their skin becomes translucent and reveals their interior, especially the heart, which the elites are in essence lacking. Hence, "The Man Without Skin".  After many days of wandering  in search of help he falls exhausted at the gates of a large city. From there he is taken in and brainwashed by the elites.  "Please gods do not forget me , as I lie at the gates of the city, find me the will and the way to return".

Incision
The reprogramming begins.  "Sleep now sleep now our brother, dream deep eternal bliss, recount remember your future, open hands will turn to fists".

Divided Day
Religion - He is made to believe he is a saviour.  "I'm your life  I am your savior, always now and forever, I'm your life  I am your savior, do not think that you were never more than you were ever shown, so come in don't go out alone, follow me and you will see, I'll release the deity".

Shallow World
Media - All forms of media are used to bombard the masses in order to keep them entertained while the elites go about their deeds unseen.  "We'll keep your attracted to all our distractions, erasing any doubts and crushing all factions, so become a heathen within our new heaven, no need to ever think as to what it all may mean".

Profits of Disaster
Consumerism - By promoting the need for always wanting more will keep the masses in a senseless cycle: work to buy, work even more to buy even more etc.  "So by and by you will buy into a slow motion suicide, obsessed with your possessions addicted to your pretensions, would you trade your life for just one dime?".  "Filling every room, over-filled with your pride , you want to take it all, still more lacks inside".

The Edifice Grin
Government - The idea that those who are in power know what is best for all; therefore, they are permitted to use any form of deception for their schemes.  "When a cloak conceals a dagger, when a smile hides malaise, we solidify our future shrouded in a haze".  "Once they've served their usefulness we will quickly discard, dealing them a losing hand while we held the winning card".

Twilight (instrumental)

A Song of Unrest
He is sent out to gather more recruits, more of his same kind, to further their grand endeavor.  He eventually finds himself back with his own tribe and realizes:  "I came to enslave them, came to enslave them all but I felt my voice uncertain then heard the elders call.  We now stand together our mission takes its form, I hear the winds unfolding, the calm before the storm".
_______



He takes them all back to the city to avenge those who had caused the suffering and to set the enslaved free.

Divine Night
The journey back to the city.  "May the shadows fall and so display, a righteous path and show us the way".

Convergence (instrumental)

The Grand Facade
They scale the cities walls.  Within they witness the oppressed masses of "porcelain women and mannequin men" who follow a "straight and narrow course, not by willing but by force".

A Most Trivial Pursuit
A key is handed to him by one of the oppressed in the line, "the one with lucid eyes".  Upon seeing this the others break rank and pursue the tribe.  In the resulting melee he finds himself at a door.  
"Now I'm at the door I feel as if I've been here before.  Angels sin for me, if beyond lies the answer I hold the key".

Persistence Of Visions
He opens the door to find a hallway filled with immense screens outlining  plans for the populace.  Realizing he was made a frontman for their schemes he smashes them to pieces. In doing so a chamber is revealed.  "Through shattered glass he will pass, phantasms meet your iconoclast".

The Noble Lie
"Four figures appear before me, four to rule over the innocent".  He poses a series of questions to them and in the end: "I touch them, tear off their shrouds, each face a state of my being and each one falls to the ground".

Release The Deity
"From a prisoner to a prophet as a prophet I return".  Now knowing the essence of his origin he transforms into a being of light.

[Jon]

I wonder if they've raised them since BB got rid of free shipping unless you spend $25+. Doesn't make much sense since some of those 'Tramp albums are $3.99 on BB and if you don't have Prime, you have to do the $25+ for free shipping. But, most states don't have to pay tax with Amazon, but most if not all have to with BB. Strange though since there's a couple $$ difference now.

What's also interesting is that Amazon and BB share the same shipping warehouse in at least one state, whatever difference that makes. 

So, I have no idea what they're doing on Amazon.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I forgot about the tax thing.  I have had to pay it on the last 2 or 3 orders I've had with Amazon.

[Jon]

Do you have an Amazon warehouse in GA?

[RJhog (Admin)]

I don't believe so.  Most stuff I order comes from Kentucky.

[Jon]

Interesting. I only thought they charged tax where they had a warehouse. Shows what I know!

Luckily, no tax from Amazon for me!

[Scott]

I, being the most correct musical shaman on this board, hereby Prophecy that Cynthesis must approach the throne of distortion and confess the un-coolness of their musical ways.  No longer shall we allow bands such as this to take so lilghtly the seriousness that is prog.  To mock those who preceded them and to put together a concept so out of touch of the common man that reading it takes several attempts leaving the reader still mistified and confused.  We declare the whole of the album must be consistent in it's musicianship and vocal performance, timing changes and fast fingers do not a prog band make!

In all seriousness this really doesnt feel proggy to me, and Im not sure how to classify it, its just really weird...

That said, Im still the most correct user on this site...  

[Jon]

[Scott]

[Jon]