EYNOMIA – Sea of Tears (2024) *HQ*

Following up their debut 2018 album, EYNOMIA, founded by guitarist Chris Bickley (Thunderhead) and female vocalist Phyllis Rutter return with their bandmates bassist Mike LePond (Symphony X), keyboardist Jimmy Pitts (Fountainhead) and drummer Gaetano Nicolosi (Ron Keel Band) with sophomore effort titled “Sea of Tears“.
EYNOMIA is a band marketed as symphonic metal, however after first listen, and while “Sea of Tears” has some progressive elements, this is more melodic metal in essence. And a good one. A hint of their sound could be hearing great shouter Michael Vescera appearing as guest in duet – the songwriting here has points in common with Vescera’s solo work and with the many bands he has been part of.
”Sea of Tears” features nine songs that will immerse listeners in lavishly arranged melodic arrangements, embellished by stellar musicianship and elegant vocals. Production is layered and polished, centered around the stirring vocal talents of Phyllis and the melodic originality on the guitar of Bickley. There is also a great incorporation of intricate keyboard parts providing engaging textures.

It’s quite impressive that the band could pull off such an expansive-sounding record, given it was recorded remotely. Each member of Eynomia recorded their parts in their respective home studios or studios nearby. After they put everything down on tape, they sent it along to Bickley, who volunteered to take on the difficult role of pulling it all together.
Bickley meticulously assembled all these parts in his home studio in Connecticut. And I assure you the songs doesn’t feel cold or distant, but cohesive.

Sea of Tears‘ rhythmic pulse lies in the feet and hands of the always excellent bass of LePond and Nicolosi solid beats. Bickley adds the dynamic rhythm guitar work, and he and keyboardist Jimmy Pitts create the melodic, fluid and blazing solos intertwined with the twinkling of the ivories. Phyllis Rutter ices the cake, and elegant, passionate vocal melodies grace each track, evoking an emotional response.
”Sea of Tears” also features guests. Fates Warning guitarist Michael Abdow appears on “To the End,” and Michael Vescera does a strong duet with Phyllis on “Mask of Vengeance.”

This is a grand, distinguished-sounding record from a band that feels self-assured, writes very good metallic melodic songs.
Highly Recommended

01 – To the End (feat. Mike Abdow)
02 – Jekyll and Hyde
03 – Mask of Vengeance (feat. Michael Vescera)
04 – Sea of Tears
05 – Reborn
06 – The Demon Inside
07 – The One
08 – Time Will Come
09 – Set Back

Phyllis Rutter (vocals)
Chris Bickley (guitar)
Jimmy Pitts (keys)
Mike LePond (bass)
Gaetano Nicolosi (drums)
guests:
Michael Vescera (vocal duet on 3)
Mike Abdow (guitar, vocals on 1)

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eynomiaband.com/cd/