Review Summary: Euphoria
A Place to Breathe, the latest album from Syncatto, is an absolute triumph of musicality and emotion. From start to finish, this album is a stunning work of art that showcases the incredible talents of this up-and-coming artist.
The album is a beautiful work of art that showcases Syncatto's incredible talent and creativity. From the first notes of the opening track to the final moments of the closing song, the album is a masterclass in instrumental rock and metal. One of the key elements of the album's beauty is its sonic depth and texture. The songs are crafted with precision and care, with every element of the music coming together to create a truly immersive experience. With incredibly intricate instrumentation, each track is a feast for the ears that draws the listener in and holds them captive.
Charlie Robbins (mastermind of the project) is a force to be reconned with on the entire body of work, with an abundance of masterful musicianship on display. Tracks "Let Us Dance" and "Split" are high-energy, danceable tracks that are sure to get listeners moving. The songs feature a flurry of intricate passages and catchy melodies that create a sense of excitement. One of the key elements of the tracks is the flamenco styling that is bursting at the seams in every moment of the tracks. The combination of djent, progressive rock, metal, and flamenco is a style that other bands have utilized as well (Polyphia's "Playing God" most notably), it's done just as well here, if not better with its incredibly intricate but also incredibly memorable songwriting.
"Ocean Grip" is a song that evokes a dreamy and ethereal vibe, creating a sense of being immersed in a vast, oceanic world. The track is driven by slow and steady rhythms, with a mix of the aforementioned flamenco and acoustic elements that create a sense of depth and texture. One of the key elements of "Ocean Grip" is the use of reverberation and delay effects. The guitar leads are layered and echoed, creating a sense of space and distance that reinforces the theme of being lost in a vast expanse, creating a sense of swirling motion and movement.
The album also features a multitude of guest artists all throughout the tracklist, some of these include LEVY on "Let Us Dance" (keyboard/synthesizer player of Unprocessed), Coen Strouken throughout the album (violinist and multi-instrumentalist), Lucas Moscardini on the final track "Mobius" (guitarist of Odeon). Each of these artists contributes to the album in a positive way, however, the most notable one is surely Coen, his violin adds a different texture to each track and is an incredibly welcomed addition. The guitar solo on "Mobius" by Lucas is a big highlight, coming to a big climactic moment of the album, the guitar solo comprises of great complexity and precision, but also a sense of pure euphoria as the album nears its conclusion.
Overall, A Place to Breathe is an absolutely stunning album that showcases the incredible talents of Syncatto. With its beautiful melodies, wonderful instrumentation, and masterful production, this album is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates modern instrumental rock and metal. Whether you're a fan of metal, rock, or flamenco music, there is something on this album that will speak to you.
