Formed in Vancouver, Syrinx is a progressive heavy metal/rock collective led by guitarist Graham McGee and fronted by powerhouse vocalist JP Abboud (ex-Traveler, ex-Gatekeeper, Among These Ashes etc.). The band’s roots go back over a decade, when McGee and Abboud toured Canada with their previous outfit Funeral Circle. Following that band’s dissolution, they began Syrinx as a more ambitious and theatrical project, blending the grit of traditional heavy metal with the adventurous scope of progressive rock. After early releases in 2019 and 2020, the band went quiet as McGee battled Lyme disease, only to return stronger with drummer Seth Lyon and bassist Bobby Shock joining the fold. Known for dramatic songwriting, analog recording, and a live presence driven by heavy riffs and layered synths, Syrinx has carved a distinctive path. With “Time Out Of Place”, the band returns with their second full-length album, cementing their place among the more creative voices in modern prog-infused metal.
On “Time
Out Of Place”, Syrinx embraces the grand
scale of a concept-driven album, presenting something that feels closer to a
rock opera than a traditional metal release. The band explores a balance of
heaviness and atmosphere, creating music that’s muscular and dreamlike. The
analog-only production is immediately noticeable—warm, organic, and
immersive—giving the songs a timeless texture that feels connected to the
classic eras of prog rock and heavy metal.
McGee’s riffs and melodic phrasing drive much of the album’s direction, shifting between heavy crunch and soaring lines. His use of synths and Moog layers expands the soundscape into something larger, blending metallic weight with progressive color. Abboud’s vocals rise above with a theatrical and commanding presence, adding drama and depth to each track. Songs like “1875” and “The Master’s Host” carry an anthemic power, while “The Knowing” and “Shades Of Your Purpose” stretch into longer forms, weaving intricate passages with shifting moods and instrumental interplay.
The rhythm
section is equally vital. Seth Lyon drives
the album with drumming that feels precise and organic, carrying the weight of
odd time signatures. Bobby Shock, despite
joining under pressure before recording, makes his presence striking with bass
lines that anchor and propel the songs, as well as additional synth work that
thickens the sound. The supporting vocals of Lady
Chanelle provide haunting harmonies that further enrich the narrative
feel of the album.
Taken as a whole, “Time Out Of Place” feels cinematic. It has the weight of classic progressive albums, and its pacing keeps it accessible. Every track contributes to the bigger vision, from the brief, atmospheric opener “Mitosis (Second Light)” to the closing track “It Left”, which ends the journey on a reflective and open-ended note.
Syrinx have
created an album that thrives on ambition, theatricality, and detail. It’s a
work that will appeal to fans of Rush and Fates Warning as much as it will to devotees of Judas Priest’s dramatic side.
Score: 8.0
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