TEMIC

Long before they appeared like a dream come true to prog fans around the world in 2023, already, the members of TEMIC had made a real name for themselves. The international supergroup features current and former members of Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, Neal Morse Band, Haken, Shining and Maraton. Having topped charts in the Netherlands and reaching #15 on the iTunes Worldwide Metal chart, their full-length debut certainly lived up to the hype. But they’ve grown by leaps and bounds on Ceiba, their mighty and magical second album.   

“Ceiba is a concept album about loss in all its various forms”, TEMIC says. “While more progressive than our first album, the songs are driven by honesty and emotions. They deal with pain, anger, fear, blame and silence, which are all difficult in their own way but a part of the process to renewing our inner strength”.      

The concept behind TEMIC started in 2017, when keyboardist Diego Tejeida and guitarist Eric Gillette were both touring members of Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress. After proving to be a quick fit on stage, the two decided to start their own band together. “We wanted to make music that prided itself on emotion, not just because it’s technically difficult to play”, Tejeida says. As for what the band would sound like, combining their love for heavy riffs, heavenly pop hooks and high-energy electronic music into a hard-hitting prog-metal hybrid wasn’t so simple. But after recruiting former soccer prodigy-turned-Zildjian-endorsed drummer Simen Sandnes to go along with Norwegian Idol contestant and powerhouse vocalist Fredrik Klemp, TEMIC put all the pieces together on their very first try.  

“[…] a fresh and powerful take on contemporary progressive metal”, Sonic Perspectives wrote in a 8.5/10 review of Terror Management Theory. 

ProgRadio agreed. “[…] a band that has the potential to innovate and redefine the boundaries of progressive rock and metal”.  

“TEMIC manages to craft a distinct narrative, with the echoes of their musical roots subtly woven into each track”, wrote The Prog Report, who named Terror Management Theory one of the best albums of 2023.  

Now, after a co-headline tour of Europe with Rendezvous Point and a splashy appearance aboard Cruise to the Edge, TEMIC are back in full bloom with Ceiba.  

Much like Terror Management Theory, the supergroup’s widely-anticipated follow-up centers on mortality. In Mayan culture, the titular tree is considered sacred for its connection to the earth, heaven and the underworld. “We love how the image of the Ceiba connects to the overarching theme of loss”, Tejeida explains. As depicted by the album’s lush cover art, it opens like a crack of lightning.  Heavy with loss and without any foreseeable hope on the horizon, “Ashes” rains down one thunderous riff after another, only for the dark clouds to lift like a veil amidst its rousing chorus.  

“Though I’m broken, my will still remains”. While digging deep, Klemp never fails to hit the high notes. “Finding strength that resides within the pain”.  

Like a root, loss possesses a deep hold over Ceiba. “I have experienced lots of personal losses, along with everyone else”, Tejeida says. “Though we don’t often talk about them with each other, loss is so universal that it will always be a natural part of our lives, like a tree”. Whether it’s the loss of a friendship, a romantic relationship, a loved one or your sense of self, so too does the album take many different forms. “Casting Stone” turns a hopeful relationship contentious with a fiery volley between djent, hard rock and electronics. Meanwhile, fragile ballad “Broken” mourns the end of a codependent relationship while accompanied by little more than ghostly synths.  

“Prog can be too concerned with being clever, but ‘Broken’ is just an honest song”, Tejeida says. “The song pretty much has stayed the same since we wrote it: raw and to the point”.  

No matter how deep Ceiba digs into philosophical terrain, TEMIC continue to branch out in all directions both literally and figuratively. The album treats loss not as an end but as one more step along life’s path. “Your soul will never die”, assures lead single “Ceased to Be”, which crosses between prog’s technical sorcery and pop’s divine melodies with relative ease thanks to shrewd guidance from the group’s newest member and bassist Miguel Pereira (Withem, Big City). Supported by swaying leads, towering cleans and firm groove, 10-minute closer “As Long As We Last” promises to stay with us long after its final epic solo.    

“We wrote this album together with contributions from all five members”, the band says. “We allowed ourselves to explore the songs and really extend ourselves while always keeping the emotions at the front of our minds”.  

With Ceiba, TEMIC return with a thunderous ode of prog.   

Line-up:

• Frederik Bergersen : Vocals
• Eric Gillette : Guitars + backing vocals
• Simen Sandnes : Drums
• Diego Tejeida : Keyboards + Sound Design
• Miguel Pereira : Bass