TEMIC are just one album in, but they already boast an impressive resume. Diego Tejedia has played with Devin Townsend and Haken, but the keyboardist was touring with Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress when he first teamed up with guitarist Eric Gillette, who's also jammed alongside Neal Morse.
Their vision for TEMIC wasn't exactly simple: synthesize their love for high-energy electronica and flashy riffs into a killer prog-metal hybrid. But after recruiting former soccer prodigy-turned-Zildjian-endorsed drummer Simen Sandness (SHINING, Arkentype) to go along with the high-powered falsetto of Fredrik Klemp (Maraton), together, this new supergroup managed to connect all those puzzle pieces on their very first album.
"As the progressive metal scene witnesses a surge of new talent, this [album] places TEMIC in the discussion of the top new band releases of 2023", writes The Prog Report.
'Terror Management Theory' comes out this Friday, November 17. But you can make your way through the whole thrilling prog maze today. Listen to the full album stream below.
Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/Temic
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/tmtpresave
Clocking in at a few ticks shy of six minutes, lead single "Count Your Losses" gives TEMIC plenty of time to show off their deep bag of tricks. Behind Klemp's melodic tenor, the band roll out an arena-ready guitar solo, scatting drum fills, fretless bass runs and synths that are built for a rave (and that only covers the bridge!).
"This album is as finely tuned and stately as the best passion projects", says Distorted Sound.
"Falling Away" catches TEMIC at the peak of their superpowers, uplifted by riffs that alternate between beefy distortion and nimble fretting, while a white-hot keyboard solo blasts off just before the drums clamp down with booming finesse.
Klemp's piercing vocal carries a hopeful message, too. "We will fight until the rays of light stand high", he sings, backed by not one but two choirs during the seven-minute closer "Mothallah", which never stops climbing toward the sky.
"The time is upon us! Today, the release of our debut album marks the culmination of TEMIC’s gestation phase. As this opus finally reaches the listeners’ ears, TEMIC is now fully born. Welcome, 'Terror Management Theory,' an album born from dark times, yet serving as a strong beacon of hope, inspiring us to look to the future to the precise moment it would see the light of day."
Listen to their curated playlist
TEMIC came together from across the globe, but they also share a wide variety of influences.
Check out the playlist that the prog supergroup update each month on Spotify. The November edition features Daft Punk, Animals As Leaders, Meshuggah, Car Bomb and Esbjörn Svensson Trio.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/11T7gAoZ7ljFxTGRaLjP4a?si=bbb3d00ba1404a8e
Introducing TEMIC—prog’s newest, most ambitious, and most adrenaline-fueled act. TEMIC melds the creative minds of keyboardist and sound designer Diego Tejeida (Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, ex-Haken), guitarist Eric Gillette (The Neal Morse Band, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress), drummer Simen Sandnes (SHINING, Arkentype), and vocalist Fredrik Klemp (Maraton, 22).
The origins of TEMIC date back to 2017, when Tejeida and Gillette toured the world as band members of Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress. From the very first chords they exchanged, their musical chemistry both on and off stage was undeniable, leading them to discuss the prospect of starting a new band together. Unfortunately, conflicting tour and recording commitments forced them to turn their attention elsewhere for years—that is, until the world came to a standstill in 2020, and Tejeida called Gillette to ask a fateful question:
“Remember how we said we should make music together? Well, how about now?”
Thus, the first demos for what would later become TEMIC’s 2023 debut album, Terror Management Theory, began to emerge. Within a few weeks after that initial phone call, the musical vision of TEMIC had become clear: Let’s create progressive music that is heavily influenced by high-energy electronic music, but arranged and orchestrated for a 5-piece modern prog rock/metal band—where, at last, the pulse can be the focus, and the vocal melody can be king.
Eager to join forces with the very best bandmates, Tejeida and Gillette first summoned the rhythmic power of their friend and drummer Sandnes. With characteristic enthusiasm, Sandnes seized the opportunity, prepared to contribute his percussive prowess as the heartbeat of TEMIC. When it came time to find the singer that would carry TEMIC’s melodies to new heights, Sandnes recommended vocal powerhouse Klemp, whose emotive delivery and unmatched intensity left no doubt that he was destined to be the voice of TEMIC. Finally, to round out the rhythm section of Terror Management Theory, dynamic bassist Jacob Umansky (Intervals) was invited on board as a guest player, gracing the album with an unrivaled groove and a signature low-end sound.
Together, this mammoth lineup is TEMIC, a high-energy, electronic-inspired, modern melodic prog metal band for the next generation.
Line-up:
Fredrik Bergersen (Maraton, 22) – Vocals
Eric Gillette (The Neal Morse Band, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress) – Guitars and Backing Vocals
Simen Sandnes (Shining, Arkentype) – Drums and Percussion
Diego Tejeida (Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, ex-Haken) - Keyboards and Sound Design
Recording Studio: Drums and vocals recorded at Top Floor Studios (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Producer: Produced by TEMIC. Drums and vocals engineered by Jakob Herrmann Gothenburg, Sweden)
Mix/Mastering: Mixed and mastered by Rich Mouser at The Mouse House (Los Angeles, USA)
Guest musicians:
Jacob Umansky (USA) – Bass guitar on the whole album
Mosaic Gospel Choir (Norway) – Mothallah
Garden State Threshold Choir (USA) – Mothallah
Cover artwork: Hicham Hamzi
Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/Temic
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/tmtpresave
Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
2x12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - White
2x12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Crystal Clear
2x12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Gold & Black Marbled
2x12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - White & Black Marbled
Merchandise
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https://open.spotify.com/artist/21vxrbfeqrr6xrot1y5t7i
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