Fearful Symmetry - I’ve Started So I’ll Finish
PV012
Fearful Symmetry, a band whose name was inspired by William Blake’s well-known (and accurate) description of a tiger’s beauty and concomitant danger, has always intrigued me. I have found their sense of Neo-Prog, which they effectively mix with their desire to pay homage to the classic eras of progressive rock, extremely refreshing. Few bands meld a modern prog-sense with an older style which incorporates a heavier reliance on key and wind instruments and do it as well as this band.
They write their albums in much the same vein as their name indicates; the fare on offer is simultaneously beautiful and crushing. In the guise of their latest effort, ‘i’ve started, so i’ll finish…”, the band, fronted by the incomparable and ultra-talented Suzi James, has honed the art of ‘gently pounding’ the listener…. using a wealth of atmospheric moods (and a gorgeous voice provided by Yael Shotts) to sheath a pounding rhythmic assault that is backed by some of the grooviest and most “in the pocket” percussive work on full display courtesy of Shanon Petrover. There are songs that will lull you into a restful dream-haze, while others will propel you into the rock realms of prog-jazz fusion, with some of the most tasteful multi-instrumental performances on any prog album released this year. So join me, won’t you? And let’s have a look, track by track, at this gem of an album.
‘One By One’ - straight out of gate, we are treated to a style that harkens back to the era of the 70’s with its mellow keys; a great juxtaposition over the driving beat that propels the song ever-forward. Moments of Neo-Prog, classic prog and an upbeat jazz-fusion style are delightful as they crescendo to a solo section which sees dueling keys and synths, which then give way to a short (but excellent) guitar solo. And the voice throughout is a marvelous addition to the musical bombast spectacle. Just a killer opening track.
‘Hard as Diamonds’ - an interesting, light, almost swing-style of a beat sends us into the album’s second track. The solid, simple drums deftly anchor the song, and it’s really the voice here that takes center-stage, and performs beautifully over the anthematic refrain of the choruses. The swing beat never really relents as the song concludes.
‘The Demented Third’ - one of the album’s hi-lights, here the swing beat, which was light and airy on the previous track, returns with a much heavier bent; reminiscent of something Rival Sons might play; the song is instrumental (the first of three), and opens up to showcase all of the “other” instruments that aren’t key-related…. We get guitar solos, a bass solo, a beautiful flute interlude; even a drum solo of sorts…. And the menagerie all plays intricately and interlaced perfectly with each part complementing the others throughout the track.
‘On the Street Today’ - here the album takes a pause from the proggier aspects of song-craft to give us a more straight-laced rocker of a song. Don’t get me wrong, the prog is still here…. But it’s subdued in relation to what the album has brought the listener to this point. The verses are straight ahead and focus on the vocals to give the song its weight and direction. They do so beautifully, and are gorgeous to behold as they soar over the keys and guitars as the song concludes.
‘Someone’ - brief tribal beats bring us to the middle of the record, but don’t last long as the band kicks right back into another straight-laced verse/chorus alternation. Great hi-hat and ride cymbal work pervade the choruses, and the vocals, almost conversational in the verses, serve the song well; Yael just talking to the listener. The prog-sense returns midway, and we’re treated to an excellent musical break before returning to the driving theme which carries us onward.
‘The Dance of the Ghillie Dhu’ - an amazing bit of “folk prog” is on offer in this wondrous track. The guitar work is excellent, as the vocals tell us of the Ghillie Dhu, who lives in the forest and comes across a lost child and helps her. Then the song breaks out into what can best be described as an Irish or Scottish “modern trad” feel…. Something that a band like Mec Lir might compose…. before returning us to the land of the forest with some gorgeous vocal harmonies to send us journeying onward.
‘There Are No Words’ - literally…. There are no words here… as we are treated to the album’s second instrumental, and some absolutely STUNNING guitar work by multi-instrumentalist Suzi. This piece is really a showcase of her virtuoso guitar-playing, and you will NOT be disappointed in the result.
‘Everything and Nothing’ - one of the album’s few true ‘slow-down’ moments…. A beautiful piano piece with matching vocals starts this track; the band comes in eventually, but in a soft and simple way that services the piano/vocal centerpiece. Subtle and heartfelt.
‘Theme For An Imaginary Cop Show’ - the third (and final) instrumental on the record is a fun, light-hearted romp that, again, showcases some subtle yet powerful performances on the guitar and keys, anchored by a consistent and upbeat drum part. This is the setup for the album’s strongest “tour de force” final track….
‘Tears of the Gods’ - a dark, brooding, sinister sounding masterpiece of a song, the album’s finale creeps and crawls along with a relentless, foreboding darkness, before seizing the listener with a march-like rhythm. Musically, echoes of bands like Tool and Rush pervade the center section with the guitars playing masterfully over the main key part. As the end draws near, the guitar chords play over the repeating clean guitar/synth refrain…. sending us into a pensive and anthematic power ending.
Suzi, Sharon and Yael are musicians that know how to PLAY (and sing!); that care about their song-craft …. And the mastery of that craft is evident in the performances on this fantastic record, where they (with an assist from Mark Cook on ‘There Are No Words’) have blended their Neo-prog heart with their classic progressive sensibilities in a way that few bands can accomplish with such fervor. You’re going to WANT and NEED this album in your life. It is another triumphant step for Fearful Symmetry in their musical journey, and a very worthy 2025 addition to any progressive rock collector’s library.
More Info: https://fearfulsymmetry.bandcamp.com/