Style: Progressive Rock (clean vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Rush, King Crimson, Pink Floyd
Country: Norway
Release date: 20 March 2025
Since few artists can consistently create something that is truly ex nihilo, homage in art is almost an inevitability. Hell, I usually need to read a few reviews around these parts to get my creative juices flowing and help put thought to digital ink. When rooted in admiration and respect, homage honors an artist’s influences, and bridges divides across time or distance; but when rooted in the desire for continuity, it runs the risk of appropriation, stagnation, and irrelevance. Sykofant’s website bio reads, “The word sycophant stems from the ancient Greek term for someone who spreads gossip or seeks to maximize personal gains at the expense of others.” The band’s own definition suggests a desire to take what others have done and make the most of it. This ethos, if handled with finesse, lets the stars align into a cohesive progressive rock constellation (such as on their 2024 self-titled debut LP). But taken to the extreme, it can be dangerous—and not in the fun rock ‘n’ roll way. On Sykofant’s EP Red Sun, the classic progressive rock influences push this danger to the limit, rocketing past homage into relentless tribute.
Take Red Sun’s title track, for instance. To my ear, the verse leans heavily on the outro of Pink Floyd’s “Time.” When the verse comes in, “Red Sun” alternates chords at a fourth interval with a similar strumming pattern and tempo as “Time.” The lyrics mention “home” (in the context of leaving rather than arriving), sung in a melody and cadence from a near-parallel universe to this song’s primary influence. Then, a key changing relaxation in the vocal melody happens at the end of the verse in the same manner that David Gilmour’s voice changes key as “Time” transitions into the next song. To top it off, the lead guitar echoes Gilmour’s moody bends and bluesy licks throughout. If it were one or two of these similarities I wouldn’t bother pointing them out—but taken together they leave little question in my mind that Sykofant is paying direct tribute to Pink Floyd.
Seldom do I hear a melody or solo on this EP that doesn’t seem to summon the spirit of Rush, Yes, King Crimson or the like, though maybe not as heavy-handed as in the title track. Approached with the expectation that a lot of the music isn’t going to be charting new stars, a few of the riffs and solos are more than just fun—they’re catchy and groovy while feeling elemental. Juxtaposing its fireborn title, the opening riff on “Embers” is a liquidy deluge that uses all the strings on the guitar to arpeggiate a near-dissonant melody that sounds like the lovechild of Mastodon and later-era Alex Lifeson. “Ashes” closes with an airy, confidently stomping riff channeling Robert Fripp while walking under a spunky guitar solo. The bass work, to its credit, might be the most consistently interesting part of Red Sun, providing the low end but also finding its own pockets of melody and spunk to explore.
Putting aside its heavy reliance on homage, the vocal work is the aspect of this Red Sun that struggles most to shine. Emil Moen’s singing is more than competent—he hits his notes and shows some range—but there’s a real lack of oomph here that makes me feel like something is missing. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I wish there were more cracks, quirks, or imperfections to give it more character.
To a lesser degree, I could ask the same of other components on Red Sun. What would this EP sound like if the drums wavered off time now and again? Or if the band ran the guitars through a Boss Metal Zone with the DIST knob at MAX? Would any of those things make Red Sun better? Almost assuredly not—but at least the album would feel a bit more dangerous in the fun rock ‘n’ roll way. This EP feels like it’s just going through the prog motions—transitions, key changes, some light genre blending, a couple of esoteric moments—all without leaving much of an impression. I’d call it “meat and potatoes” prog rock, but meat and potatoes provide sustenance. Apart from the previously mentioned highlights, Red Sun offers little in the way of music nerd nourishment, and feels like reheated leftovers that didn’t make the cut for Sykofant’s tasty debut.
Despite some radiant moments of brilliance, most of Red Sun’s building blocks exist in the “bland to serviceable” waveband of this star’s visible spectrum. Homage can be a bridge across time and space; but on Red Sun, it often feels like a mirage made of light from more distant stars.
Recommended tracks: “Ashes,” “Embers”
You may also like: Orion, Moon Safari, Alex Carpani, The Thirteenth Sun, D’Virgilio, Morse, & Jennings
Final verdict: 5/10
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Official Website | Facebook | Instagram
Label: Sycophantastic Records
Sykofant is:
Emil Moen — vocals, guitar
Per Semb — guitar
Melvin Treider — drums
Sindre Haugen — bass
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