Sunburst: Manifesto
As the middle of the year approached, I was getting worried that after Caligula’s Horse in January I wouldn’t be treated to any more great straightforward prog this year. To be sure, there have been a bunch of prog releases, many of which I have liked, but none that didn’t have their own genre-flavour applied. I was really hankering for some riff-heavy power-prog with big fat choruses and wild solos.
Enter Sunburst. Their sophomore effort Manifesto landed in my lap just when I needed it, and oh ho ho dear reader, this puppy delivers. I had to check how I overlooked this band, only to discover that their debut album was released eight years ago, before I was fully addicted to prog metal. Safe to say they have caught my attention now. For sound comparisons, these guys are similar to more modern Symphony X, with shades of Nevermore and obvious comparisons to Kamelot.
Opener The Flood is full of juicy riffs and a huge chorus, indicative of what’s to come throughout. Synths and orchestration are used sparingly to colour an otherwise guitar-heavy sound. It’s bombastic to say the least, and the perfectly layered sound creates this epic wall that just runs you over. This energy only increases in Hollow Lies and beyond. The solo is fantastic, with speed-filled runs and intricate phrasing that just draws you in before that rhythm hits again. Honestly, I could explain each song in much the same terms. Sunburst offer a hefty platter of proggy goodness in each and every track. You want heavy crushing riffs and rhythmic passages? They got ‘em. You want expertly crafted but not overbearing orchestration? They got it! You want smooth and enchanting vocal lines? They got ‘em!
Each song brings its own particular flavour to this delectable concourse though. Samaritan is sprinkled with pinch harmonics and a crazy good synth-heavy instrumental passage alternating with the vocals. Perpetual Descent has that whispery breakdown before the emotional solo. The dueling synth and guitar on Inimicus Intus: heavenly. The title track, Manifesto, has been on repeat for me for days. That final chorus is just fantastic. Album closer Nocturne is absolutely gorgeous, and perhaps my favourite track on the record alongside the title cut. Safe to say the two make for a powerful punch to close out the album.
Individual performances are all great. Vocalist Vasilis Georgiou is a straight up Roy Khan clone, and I am here for it. He nails it from track to track, with an emotional delivery that fits the more-sombre lyrics. The music is so frenetic that you almost don’t notice how rather dismal some of the lyrics are on the first listen. But when you pay attention he puts a lot of emphasis on the right words to let the emotion peek through. Guitarist Gus Drax is playing his butt off. Every one of those perfectly placed pinch harmonics hits the sweet spot, and I was certainly caught by an office-mate air-guitaring along to his solo on Hollow Lies. He’s also got riffs for days and is in lock step with Kostas Milonas on drums. Just listen to the guitar tracks somewhat hidden under the vocals, he’s absolutely bonkers. The drums lay a rock solid foundation throughout, and Milonas is restrained when he needs to be to let the lighter bits shine through. I only wish the bass guitar was bit more audible in the mix.
My only real critique of this record is a lack of dynamism as far as the soundscape is concerned. It’s pretty straightforward, which isn’t a bad thing on its own but can make the songs run together and sound samey if you aren’t paying close enough attention. There are definitely some lighter bits and the orchestration is given some space on a couple of tracks, but most of it is balls to the wall power-prog. It seems like Sunburst had a vision of exactly what kind of sound they wanted and really nailed it. The song structure isn’t particularly inventive either, you’ll find no overlong epics here. But, it comes in at just under 50 minutes, so you don’t get tired of the formula before it’s over.
I seriously can’t get enough of this album, and keep finding more things I love on each re-listen. Incredible is the only way I can describe it; absolutely amazing in every respect. This is AOTY contender material, and is currently duking it out with the aforementioned Caligula’s Horse to snag that top spot.
9/10
Top Tracks: Manifesto • Nocturne • Samaritan