Sylentiger

Description

Sanity Obscure is the sophomore album by the American metal band Trytan, released on R.E.X. Music in 1990, distributed by Spectra Distribution. The album was recorded by Jerry Mikulich and Joe Bader at The Playroom Recording Studio in Chicago, Illinois; with Mikulich, Bader, and the band producing. Featuring a cover of “By My Spirit”, a song written by Leslie Phillips and originally recorded on her 1984-album, Dancing With Danger.

First off, let me say that Trytan’s debut album ‘Celestial Messenger‘ did not receive the acclaim it deserved. Brilliant progressive metal with showcase vocals a la Geddy Lee of Rush were captured in melodious and epic-length songs. On this effort the band backs away from the keyboards a little and leans more on guitars and a slightly faster pace, creating a straight-ahead metal sound. The trademark vocals remain, but the songwriting fails to present them in a favorable light.

Most of the songs start out with long, melodic intros, which sparks interest; but usually it progresses in intensity until the predictable, shrill voice of guitarist/vocalist Lary Dean starts wailing to a fast heavy metal beat. Maybe if Dean wrote his tunes in a lower range, his unique voice would be an asset instead of the liability I think it is now.

Lyrically the album hones in on choices: choices between love and hate; truth and lies; light and darkness; and life and death.

“Standing out in the open/ What will your heroes do for you?/ There’s one place you can hide/ Will you make your move in time?” – «Take Cover». “It’s high noon in your heart/ Time to decide? The lines are drawn/ And the cards are stacked/ Your’re running out of time… / It’s time to live or die.” – «Make Your Move».

A surprise track on the CD is a cover of Leslie Phillips’ «By My Spirit», which Leslie, er Sam, would probably shudder over, with its treble metal sound.

Fans of Trytan, who won’t have to acclimate themselves to Dean’s voice, will probably enjoy the band’s straight-ahead metal approach; but this reviewer is hoping the band will follow the footsteps of its predecessor – Rush – and go after a more palatable, commercial-yet-progressive sound. [Doug Van Pelt, CCM, December 1990]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/sylentiger/1562952911)

CD tracklist:

01. Take Cover – 5:51
02. Deadly Masquerade – 4:43
03. Beyond The Night – 6:46
04. Star Bound – 5:23
05. Make Your Move – 5:27
06. Sylentiger – 4:32
07. Here To Stay – 6:48
08. Playing With Fire – 6:40
09. Life Goes On – 4:32
10. Waking The Giant – 4:03
11. By My Spirit – 3:32

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by R.E.X. Music. Re-issued on CD by Clockwork Records in 1993 and by Fox Records in 1997. Remastered by Rob Colwell and re-issued on 140g 12-inch vinyl LP (pressed on Orange/Black Splatter vinyl) in 2020 by Retroactive Records/Limited Run Vinyl as part of the label’s Legends of Rock Series.