Okyr - Premorbid Intelligence (2020)^{Release ID: 23266}

Ladies and gentlemen, we have another new band added to the site, Okyr! What's special about this band, you may ask? Well a new member just joined the site recently, none other than its bassist Jean Elias! My parents once taught me that it's important to support someone supporting you. Jean did a good step of joining the Metal Academy, and now I'm paying him back with a superb review of his band's album.

Premorbid Intelligence is one of the best recent progressive metal albums yet. I'm not just saying it to spare his feelings, it really is one of the best! This album might definitely start a whole new generation of classic progressive metal, to lighten up the world during the time of the virus.

This grand journey begins with "Apathetic". It starts with a few seconds sparkly keyboards that might've been nicely borrowed from a Dark Tranquillity before launching into an epic original progressive metal piece. Beautiful! "Janus-Faced" takes on a bit of the softer and heavier sides of Persefone while expanding their own mighty progressive directions. "Man in White" is another excellent progressive piece, its instrumentation reminding me of Leprous.

"Calm Down" is a calmer song that can be considered a progressive ballad. Great job on "Satyriasis", another awesome prog tune! It's just so d*mn good. While I definitely enjoy Jean's bass, the drumming has so much f***ing greatness. That song is a top-quality progressive metal hit that might be the blueprint for a more progressive future.

"Bearer of the Pain" has nice progressive groove to dance along to, plus some softer parts. "Panacea" is one of the most glorious progressive metal epics. The orchestration in the first 3 minutes have movie soundtrack potential, and the metal instrumentation is so talented that even Dream Theater would say "Wow, that band's good". The vocals don't come in until 6 minutes on. Epic! "Neurosis (and the Attraction Theory)" is another wonderful song with the best of Jean's bass, especially in the second half.

In conclusion, Premorbid Intelligence is THE progressive metal album fans of the genre have waited so long for. This is an underrated masterpiece that should be heard around the world. You can't miss out on this! Please support Jean Elias and his band, and enjoy this incredible progressive metal adventure. Okyr, you totally rock!

Favorites: "Apathetic", "Man in White", "Satyriasis", "Panacea"