Detailed Reviews [Sylvan - 2021 - "One To Zero"]

Prolusion. German band SYLVAN has been going for 30 years or thereabouts at this point, although using the name Sylvan only from 1998. They have one live album and 10 studio albums to their name in the just over 20 years they have existed as Sylvan. "One to Zero" is their most recent studio production, and was released through German label Gentle Art of Music in the spring of 2021.

Analysis. Sylvan started out as a band described as neo-progressive back in the day, and for many years they were known for adding progressive metal elements to that style of progressive rock. The major parts of this album isn't anywhere close to this however, as more careful and subtle nuances and arrangements dominate this production. Wandering piano motifs, plucked acoustic and gentle electric guitar motifs and details are dominating traits here, alongside careful use of electronic effects and mainly softer keyboard textures. All of them creating appropriate backdrops for the voice of vocalist Gluhmann, who gets to showcase his qualities as an emotional vocalist here. We do get the occasional build-ups to layered and more majestic arrangements, and plenty of alterations in pace, tempo and intensity, but all of these are more subtle. The occasional use of violin textures was a bit of a surprise for me, but it fits the premises. Those fond of subtle, careful and emotionally haunting music will get a lot out of this album in that respect. On the final two cuts on the album the band takes a slight left turn however. Prominent guitar riffs are now present, and the ebb and flow between the careful, the haunting, the majestic and the powerful arrangements that was such a specialty for Sylvan back in the day makes a glorious appearance on 'Go Viral' and 'Not a Goodbye'. Thankfully these creations comes across as present day creations rather than songs made to replicate the past, with a sound and atmosphere that fits the premise of the album as such, and for my sake at least this is the version of Sylvan I appreciate most: When they combine powerful surges with frail moments, and with some minor quirky features to boot. The quirky riff pattern that is a recurring element on 'Not a Goodbye' a good example of just that, especially when combined with a more delicate and steady guitar presence too.

Conclusion. With "One to Zero" we get an album with two rather different aspects to it musically: The majority of the songs relies on gentle and subtle alterations and differences, mainly explored in a careful landscape that highlights the role of the lead vocalist, and at the end we get 16 minutes or so of what I'd describe as classic Sylvan style majestic, dynamic and haunting harder edged progressive rock. Fans of the band will obviously be well aware of this album already, but for others my guesstimate would be that those who appreciate the gentler side of progressive rock will get the most out of this album, and then in particular those who appreciate an emotional lead singer in such a setting. And those among them that also can appreciate more majestic, harder edged and haunting compositions will also feel inspired by the final two songs of the album.

Progmessor: July 2021
The Rating Room