True to their name, TEMIC are a dream come true for progheads all around the world. The international supergroup features current and former members of Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress, The Neal Morse Band, Haken, Shining and Maraton. While the group's chart-topping debut lived up to the hype, they grew by leaps and bounds on their mighty and magical follow-up Ceiba.
Much like TEMIC's first full-length statement, Ceiba can be traced back to theories around our own mortality. In Mayan culture, the titular tree is considered sacred for its connection to the earth, heaven and the underworld. As depicted by its lush cover, the album hits like a bolt of lighting with the first of many earthshaking revelations. Heavy with loss and without any foreseeable hope on the horizon, "Ashes" rains down one thunderous riff after another, only for the dark clouds to lift like a veil amidst its rousing chorus.
Like a root, loss has a deep hold over Ceiba. "Broken" mourns the end of a codependent relationship accompanied by little more than ghostly synths. But whether figurative or literal, the album treats loss not as an end but as one more stop along life's path. "The blood will testify: Your soul will never die", assures lead single "Ceased To Be", which crosses back and forth between prog's technical sorcery and divine melodies. No matter how deep the tracklist digs into philosophical soil, TEMIC continue to branch out in all directions. Supported by swaying leads, towering cleans and firm groove, 10-minute closer "As Long As We Last" will stay with you long after its final epic solo.
With Ceiba, supergroup TEMIC return with a thunderous ode of prog.
1. Asunder
2. Ashes
3. Beyond the Voice
4. Ceased To Be
5. Broken
6. Casting Stone
7. See Myself
8. Parting the Waves Inside
9. Night of Veils
10. Alone
11. As Long As We Last