{"id":6174,"date":"2021-03-05T05:40:15","date_gmt":"2021-03-05T05:40:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=6174"},"modified":"2021-03-05T05:40:19","modified_gmt":"2021-03-05T05:40:19","slug":"trytan-blood-of-kings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2021\/03\/05\/trytan-blood-of-kings\/","title":{"rendered":"TRYTAN: Blood of Kings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Soundtrack To Our Times<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Farewell to (the Blood of) Kings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In 1975, Rush, after the completion of the Caress of Steel<\/em> tour (a total disaster from a commercial\/financial standpoint), stood on the brink of irrelevance and dissolution. Of course, as many reading this already know, the band almost called it quits. But instead of giving in to the worldly, commercial pressures decided to write an even more outrageous record (2112<\/em>) \u2026 and the rest, as they say, is history (and ultimately His story). (2112 is 21 forwards and backwards and here we are in \u201921 for what its worth).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many ways, Trytan (absent from the global music scene for 30 years) are doing a similarly kind of crazy thing (admittedly, with drastically different motives) coming back from near extinction with a new release this many years later. Where Rush humbly stayed true to their musical calling, Trytan (Lary Dean) have stayed true to their spiritual calling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while Rush was throwing up a proverbial finger to the music industry at the time (for \u201cjust\u201d reasons) with their innovative and progressive sounds, Dean and friends are pointing that finger straight up to the Lord and Savior to this ailing world with plenty of wisdom, discernment and direction, using a big ole\u2019 can of musical credibility and whoop-ass shred to garner your attention along the way!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Progressive Metal Soundtrack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Quite simply, Blood of Kings<\/em> is a soundtrack to our current lives \u2013 these songs addressing issues that are so palpably relevant to every human on this planet at this very point in time that to ignore or dismiss their importance would imply that you are either dead \u2026 or a \u201cmonster?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you don\u2019t think this album is a radical push against the current \u201cnorm\u201d based on the lyrical content alone, then just look at these song durations. When the shortest song on the album is 5 minutes and 18 seconds then you know you are likely listening to progressive rock\/metal. I mean, come on, the average listening span these days is like, what, 3 minutes, if that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, with both style and content, long-time fans will be similarly relieved to know that Trytan sounds like Trytan \u2013 just older, wiser \u2026 and better. I would push that even a bit further and state that not only has Lary clearly aged well \u2013 the guitar work is mesmerizing \u2013 he has some really great help this time around. I mean, when you are attempting to make a statement and get the attention of the world with heavy music it\u2019s never a bad idea to employ the likes of Jim LaVerde (Barren Cross). And what about this guy Eric Gillette? Seriously, like what can\u2019t he play or produce?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These songs may not be quite as extreme as X-treme sports, but they are nevertheless extremely good \u2026 relentlessly so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Music<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Descender\u201d<\/strong> is a huge lead-off track filled with drama (sound-bytes) and urgency. The sound is massive, filled with these impressive riffs, guitar leads\/solos, keyboard wizardry and speedy drumming. \u201cA Million Hearts\u201d<\/strong> is more straight-up melodic rock, but the intensity persists as this one powers on with plenty of pace. It is quite apparent early on that the guitar leads and solos make a statement \u2013 Dean has been doing a lot of wood-shreddin\u2019 in the past 3 decades because he has surpassed his previous efforts with seriously fast\/intricate\/creative fretwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then comes the title track \u2026 spilling the \u201cBlood of Kings.\u201d<\/strong> This track is insanely good \u2026 the keyboards impeccably placed to perfectly accent the tone of the message. This one has a distinctively \u201cEuro power metal\u201d vibe, reminding me just a bit of early years Seventh Avenue (in a good way). The vocal melodies just soar. One could easily categorize this song as progressive\/power metal, the speed and shred on drums, keys and guitars so mesmerizingly brilliant that you almost get so lost in the instrumental supremacy that you forget this is evangelical rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n