TEMIC lived up to the hype on their chart-topping debut album, but the prog supergroup have grown by leaps and bounds on their mighty and magical new album, “Ceiba“, released today, Friday 2 of October.
“Ceiba is a concept album about loss in all its various forms”, TEMIC says. “While more progressive than our first album, the songs are driven by honesty and emotions. They deal with pain, anger, fear, blame and silence, which are all difficult in their own way, but a part of the process to renewing our inner strength”.
True to their name, TEMIC are a dream come true for prog fans 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, Maraton and Big City.
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 art, 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“. “Casting Stone” turns a hopeful relationship contentious with a fiery volley between djent, hard rock and electronics. “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 the threshold between prog’s technical sorcery and divine melodies.
No matter how deep Ceiba digs into philosophical soil, TEMIC continue to branch out in all directions. Supported by swaying leads, towering cleans and firm groove, the album’s 10-minute closer “As Long As We Last” will stay with you long after its final epic solo. With Ceiba, TEMIC return with a thunderous ode of prog.
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