SINOPTIK – Standalone Syndrome

Sinoptik’s signature blend of Progressive Metal, Indie Rock, and Atmospheric Rock is the culmination of the current Metal tastes within the hipster and artist community. With top-level production quality and excellent musicianship for this style, “Standalone Syndrome” is expertly crafted, yet largely divorced from traditional Rock influences, instead finding its roots in Alternative and Post-Rock styles. This creates a sound that is accessible, but may be unfamiliar to most old-school fans. The characteristic elements of this style, including the reverb laden, stacked octave chords in place of single note melodies, plant this release firmly in modern, Indie territory.

All that being said, anyone looking for a band with a more modern sound, but still with a Metal edge, will enjoy this release as well as many of Sinoptik’s previous efforts. There is a lot of lyrical depth here and although lead vocalist Dmitriy Afanasiev-Gladkykh has a very one dimensional delivery, his performance is consistent and fitting.

Sinoptik continues to build a momentum on the European festival circuit thanks to a stage show that is reminiscent of The Who (sans John Entwistle) and with a nicely shot new music video (below), they are well and accurately represented as a wholly professional and relevant touring act. All in all, as much as old-school fans may find Sinoptik’s style strange, the act is bringing Metal and heavier sounds to audiences that may have never been exposed to them otherwise. That is commendable on any level.