Pyramaze – Epitaph

Pyramaze
Epitaph
AFM Records
November 13, 2020
01:01:47

They are one of the youngest members of the AFM family, the Progressive Power Metal band Pyramaze from Denmark. According to the label info, the band has existed since 2002. Other internet sources speak of 2001 (Wikipedia, Encyclopaedia Metallum). However, founder and guitarist Michael Kammeyer is no longer on board. The only remaining founding member is obviously drummer Morten Gade Sørensen. But keyboardist Jonah Weingarten (since 2002) and guitarist Toke Skjønnemand (since 2004) were in the early years already included. Otherwise, the lineup carousel turned mainly on the microphone. Lance King, Matt Barlow and Urban breed were active here one after the other. The current line-up has been around for five years. And with “Epitaph” this played an album for the third time. This is album number six in the band’s history.

Naming an album after an intro is quite unusual. But the calm “Epitaph”, characterized by piano and strings, is the namesake. Or should it be called a short ballad-like overture. But “A Stroke Of Magic” already bangs out of the speakers. Sounds very catchy though. Here the Danes attach great importance to beautiful melodies. That continues with “Steal My Crown” and “Knights In Shining Armor”. Above all, the extremely melodic refrains stand out particularly positively. After the mid-tempo area dominated at first, there are also faster passages in “Knights In Shining Armor” where the double bass drives forward. It’s easy to see that keyboards and orchestration set the tone. In between, the guitar section always impresses with impressive solos. Pyramaze have also invited illustrious guests for their sixth studio work. The Canadian singer Brittney Slayes (Unleash the Archers) can be heard on the rocker “Transcendence”. And her voice even sounds a bit rougher than Terje Harøy’s. That gives the song some extra degrees of heaviness. And these are taken up by the guitarists in their solos. After “Epitaph” sounds like a Melodic Power Metal album for almost 50 minutes, the band saved the progressive touch for the final monumental work “The Time Traveler”. Despite all the melody and rhythm changes, Pyramaze remain true to their basic melodic orientation. And you can hear two old friends at once. The two former singers Matt Barlow and Lance King.

“Epitaph” is probably one of the catchiest progressive albums I’ve ever heard. The Danes manage to walk the tightrope between Power and Progressive Metal in an impressive way. So, fans of both genres should get their effort’s worth while listening. Beautiful melodies, outstanding musicians, very good compositions and arrangements ensure a lot of listening pleasure. This should actually give the Danes a permanent place in the top metal league.

Photo: André Christian Lyngedal

Pyramaze – Particle (2020) (Official Lyric Video): https://youtu.be/Dboj0g-aGsE

Lineup:

Terje Harøy – Vocals
Jacob Hansen – Guitars, Bass
Jonah Weingarten. – Keyboards
Toke Skjønnemand – Guitars
Morten Gade Sørensen – Drums

Track list:

• Epitaph
• A Stroke Of Magic
• Steal My Crown
• Knights In Shining Armour
• Bird Of Prey
• Your Last Call
• Particle
• Indestructible
• Transcendence
• Final Hour
• World Foregone
• The Time Traveller