Syrek – Story 2
"This is the story of two small creatures, called upon an impossible quest to save a land shrouded in icy doom and darkness…"
That introductory line (part of a larger narration that forms opening track 'Home Again') sets the scene for Story 2, the fantasy-adventure sequel to 2021’s Story album from rock-metal guitar virtuoso Terry Syrek, whose stellar six-string skills are introduced on the prog-metal romp & pomp of following number, 'Adventureoverature.'
Indeed, Story 2 is a sequel in every way; both albums are weighted similarly through Syrek’s brand of sonically intense prog-metal, interspersed with short, story-telling narrative passages. Both albums also clock in at 77 minutes.
There are also welcome and notable returns for monster drummer Marco Minnemann, keys player Lalle Larsson (The Flower Kings) and Hollywood actor Keith Szarabajka (narration); they are joined on Story 2 by bass supremo Byan Beller (original Story bassist Mohini Dey also features) and guest musician Erik Rydvall on nyckelharpa (Swedish keyed fiddle).
Marco Minnemann’s drum work is, as ever, powerful, precise and percussive, while this time around Lalle Lason has a bigger part to play – on Story his keyboard work was more textural (think an instrumental prog-metal version of Rush at double-speed); this time around Terry Syrek has intentionally composed and arranged with a fuller-bodied, symphonic sound in mind, akin to an instrumental Dream Theatre on steroids.
The melody meets freneticism of 'Set Sail in a Bottle' and the symphonic bombast of 'They Have a Dragon,' which flits from thick riffage and shred-fluid fretboard work to more atmospheric, downtempo passages, are two impressive cases in prog-metal point.
Much like Story, there’s an argument that this second instalment is overly intense, or would have benefited from some judicious editing, leading to, say, a more concise and impacting hour long adventure – that said the tempo-shifting, six-string fire and melodic grace of 'Snow? Snow!' and symphonic prog-metal of 'Citadel,' which features technically superb and perfectly integrated musicianship, do their damndest to merit their near ten and over eleven minute lengths, respectively.
Such lengthier and sonically busy compositions are tempered by tracks such as the soothing sounds of 'A New Land,' which features the aforementioned Erik Rydvall on nyckelharpa, and the melodious 'Sails And Starlight,' where Terry Syrek’s blues-crying guitar, title fittingly, sets sail over an atmospheric, rock ballad backing, with choral parts and some nice keyboard embellishments.
Story 2, in concept, and with its narrated segments, might be a little too Disney for some fret-burning and shred heavy aficianados, but the fantasy styled dressing helps separate it, and its predecessor, from the instrumental prog-metal pack.
More importantly, and despite some overly intense or overly long moments, Story 2 is unquestionably Terry Syrek’s most accomplished and adventurous (in both senses) work to date, one that reinforces why he was considered by many to be the fastest guitarist in the west when he received his Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music back in 1992.
However, the fact he complements that speed with technical excellence, impressive melody structures and a great sense of dynamics, is the real Story behind Terry Syrek’s greatness.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Purchase Story 2 and previous Syrek releases at: https://syrek.bandcamp.com/album/story-2
That introductory line (part of a larger narration that forms opening track 'Home Again') sets the scene for Story 2, the fantasy-adventure sequel to 2021’s Story album from rock-metal guitar virtuoso Terry Syrek, whose stellar six-string skills are introduced on the prog-metal romp & pomp of following number, 'Adventureoverature.'
Indeed, Story 2 is a sequel in every way; both albums are weighted similarly through Syrek’s brand of sonically intense prog-metal, interspersed with short, story-telling narrative passages. Both albums also clock in at 77 minutes.
There are also welcome and notable returns for monster drummer Marco Minnemann, keys player Lalle Larsson (The Flower Kings) and Hollywood actor Keith Szarabajka (narration); they are joined on Story 2 by bass supremo Byan Beller (original Story bassist Mohini Dey also features) and guest musician Erik Rydvall on nyckelharpa (Swedish keyed fiddle).
Marco Minnemann’s drum work is, as ever, powerful, precise and percussive, while this time around Lalle Lason has a bigger part to play – on Story his keyboard work was more textural (think an instrumental prog-metal version of Rush at double-speed); this time around Terry Syrek has intentionally composed and arranged with a fuller-bodied, symphonic sound in mind, akin to an instrumental Dream Theatre on steroids.
The melody meets freneticism of 'Set Sail in a Bottle' and the symphonic bombast of 'They Have a Dragon,' which flits from thick riffage and shred-fluid fretboard work to more atmospheric, downtempo passages, are two impressive cases in prog-metal point.
Much like Story, there’s an argument that this second instalment is overly intense, or would have benefited from some judicious editing, leading to, say, a more concise and impacting hour long adventure – that said the tempo-shifting, six-string fire and melodic grace of 'Snow? Snow!' and symphonic prog-metal of 'Citadel,' which features technically superb and perfectly integrated musicianship, do their damndest to merit their near ten and over eleven minute lengths, respectively.
Such lengthier and sonically busy compositions are tempered by tracks such as the soothing sounds of 'A New Land,' which features the aforementioned Erik Rydvall on nyckelharpa, and the melodious 'Sails And Starlight,' where Terry Syrek’s blues-crying guitar, title fittingly, sets sail over an atmospheric, rock ballad backing, with choral parts and some nice keyboard embellishments.
Story 2, in concept, and with its narrated segments, might be a little too Disney for some fret-burning and shred heavy aficianados, but the fantasy styled dressing helps separate it, and its predecessor, from the instrumental prog-metal pack.
More importantly, and despite some overly intense or overly long moments, Story 2 is unquestionably Terry Syrek’s most accomplished and adventurous (in both senses) work to date, one that reinforces why he was considered by many to be the fastest guitarist in the west when he received his Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music back in 1992.
However, the fact he complements that speed with technical excellence, impressive melody structures and a great sense of dynamics, is the real Story behind Terry Syrek’s greatness.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Purchase Story 2 and previous Syrek releases at: https://syrek.bandcamp.com/album/story-2