NAD SYLVAN – The Bride Said No (2017)

Swedish (USA born) NAD SYLVAN – vocalist with Steve Hackett and Agents Of Mercy – has announced the release of his new solo album “The Bride Said No” for the 26th May 2017.
The album sees Nad joined by a myriad of talented guests including Steve Hackett, Guthrie Govan (Asia), Tony Levin, Jonas Reingold (Karmakanic), Nick D’Virgilio (Spock’s Beard), Doane Perry (Jethro Tull), Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings) & more.

Sylvan was initially a part of a succession of bands from the late ’70s and onward, and was close to achieving real mainstream success with the band One By One in the second half of the 1980’s.
Following this involvement he abandoned his band activities for many years, but resurfaced with the project Unifaun in 2008, and then went on to accidentally form The Agents Of Mercy with The Flower Kings main man Roine Stolt shortly after.
From 2012 he has also worked with Steve Hackett and his Genesis Revisited projects.

Sylvan’s musical background is essentially prog rock, but “The Bride Said No” is also plenty of accessible melodies with lots of pop/rock sensibility in play. It is still a very proggy album, call it neo-prog with poppy orientation, and the real key to success is in the strong songwriting and excellent performances.
Nad has assembled a top-tier guest list that includes Tony Levin, Roine Stolt, Nick DiVirgilio, Jonas Reingold, Doane Perry, Steve Hackett, Guthrie Govan.
In fact, the duo guitar solos by Hackett & Govan on the track ‘What Have You Done’ are stunning.

But this is Nad’s album, and make no mistake, he sings, he plays guitars, piano / keyboards and composes all the music.
Vocally, the album represents the best work of Sylvan’s career. The dramatic approach that he is known for, is countered with more subtle moments. There is no better example of this than the beautiful and effective ‘When The Music Dies’, which is a tribute to the musical giants who have passed away recently.

The title track is also a highlight, and is one of a number of songs on the album that feature strong female guest vocals courtesy of Tania Doko, Jade Ell and Sheona Urquhart.
In terms of style, songs like ‘The Quartermaster’, ‘The White Crown’, ‘Crime of Passion’ and album closer, ‘Black Sheep’, fit Sylvan’s style like a glove. Really, that can be said for the entire album.
There is a confidence to the material and a strength in the performances that shows in the final results.

It is certainly progressive rock, but there is also a very accessible musical vibe to found throughout.
There is a true commercial, melodic sound to this album that is extremely appealing. Prog fans will still find much to enjoy, but they may also find themselves humming some of the tunes. To my ears, it is a very diverse album as well.
In many ways, ‘The Bride Said No’ feels like the work that will put Nad’s solo work on the map.
Highly Recommended

1. Bridesmaids
2. The Quartermaster
3. When the Music Dies
4. The White Crown
5. What Have You Done
6. Crime Of Passion (Vampirate’s Anthem)
7. A French Kiss in an Italian Cafe
8. The Bride Said No

Nad Sylvan – vocals, keyboards, guitars, programming, orchestration
with:
Tania Doko, Jade Ell – vocals
Sheona Urquhart – vocals, saxophone
Steve Hackett – guitar
Guthrie Govan – guitar
Roine Stolt – guitar
Tony Levin – Chapman stick, upright bass, electric bass
Jonas Reingold – bass
Nick D’Virgilio – drums, percussion
Doane Perry – drums, percussion
Anders Wollbeck – keyboards, programming, orchestration
Alfons Karabuda – water phone

Pre Order:
store.hmv.com/music/cd/the-bride-said-no
.