Album Reviews
- Glitzine
“…This is—or at least should be—the sound of metal’s resurgence. A return to LOUD guitars where the emphasis is on the overall feel rather than speed, and where vocalists can belt out a song yet you can still hear every word…When not blasting out some driving riffs, Ron is soloing like a madman and Jeffrey Winslow’s soulful vocals demonstrate that he can hold his own with some of rock’s greatest…Here in 2009, this stands out like a fine diamond and sets a benchmark. It’s released independently so it’s success will depend on word of mouth so if you call yourself a fan of quality rock music, get out there, buy it, and bug your local rock club and rock radio station to feature it. I have no hesitation at all in recommending this. It’s truly stunning stuff!” Read more
- GetReadyToRock.com
*****
(5 stars)
“…Comprised of 12 tracks that combine the melodic sounds of bands such as Ratt, 90’s-era Motley Crue, and Lynch Mob with modern, harder-edged rock like Velvet Revolver—vocalist Jeffrey Winslow does a sterling job of balancing the two genres…The album is produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Freschi, and he has captured every element of the band in a recording that sounds like it could have been made by a big name producer such as Bob Rock…This album is well worth checking out…” Read more - Sleaze Roxx
“…Rock and Roll the way it was intended to be played. Gritty and unpretentious…Syrym integrates terrific songwriting with incredible musicianship and an exceptional production. It is the stuff metal heads delight in….All of the songs on this disc contain catchy hooks, big choruses and enough swagger to satisfy even the most discriminate listener…Bottom line, I enjoyed Syrym and would recommend it without reservation…” Read more
- Metalliville.co.uk
Rating: 9/10
“…Killer songs, great vocals, and top notch musicianship—then again, I’d expect nothing less…” Read more - HardRockHaven.net
Rating: 8.1/10
“…Their debut begins with the groove-focused and angry “Foul Mouth Blues.” The more you listen to Winslow’s voice, you may be reminded of Kelly Keeling (Baton Rouge), although Winslow’s voice is naturally lower. Freschi’s solo after the chorus belies anything you’ll hear on Modern Rock radio today, with mimics like Theory of a Deadman regurgitating formulaic mainstream offal and pretending it’s music worth hearing. Instead, Freschi nails a searing solo that fits within the scope of the song…” Read more - Metal-Rules.com
“…This disc really surprised the living hell out of me. It has now become one of my favourite albums of the year as it beats out some seasoned veteran’s releases from this past year. Hopefully this is just the beginning and we will get many more quality albums from Syrym…” Read more
- Strutter Magazine
Rating: 8.2/10
“…This is good old-fashioned Melodic Hard Rock, recommended to fans of mentioned bands [Talisman, Harem Scarem, Tyketto], although vocally it is a bit different (more a la BABYLON A.D., SONS OF ANGELS, HERICANE ALICE and EVERY MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE). Make sure not to miss this release as 20 years ago it would have been put out on a major label in the USA!…” Read more - Metal Excess
“…For some unknown reason, I never got around to picking this album up when it was released. Darn shame too, because I could’ve been enjoying this music so much sooner! This is yet another release that would’ve been a strong contender for the Top 10 of ‘08 list… Had I actually heard it in 2008!…” Read more
- HardRockHideout.com
“…Any fans of Lynch Mob, Babylon A.D., or Lillian Axe will find plenty of reasons to love Syrym, but fans of heavy and melodic late 80s/early 90s rock will also find plenty of reasons to pick Syrym up. Definitely worth the price of admission…” Read more
- Dave Watts | Overloaded Radio U.K.
“Pleasantly surprised by this album. It just goes to show, never judge a book (or album) by the cover! Looking at this one, I thought Metal with honey monster vocals. WRONG!!
With the majority of tracks 5 min plus of well-produced, guitar-driven Rock & Roll, to the beautiful “Sky Is Falling,” in one word, FANTASTIC!…” Read more
- Room 13 UK
Rating: 10/13 – Promising Debut
“Syrym’s style is influenced by all the great (and still great), and also some who were great but never hit the heady heights—for example, Freschi’s guitar style is very similar to ex-Lynch Mob (remember them?) and Dokken George Lynch (my fave guitarist in the late 80’s after Blackmore). I state Lynch Mob first as Winslow’s vocal style and the little nuances on the first three tracks (‘Foul Mouth Blues,’ the heavier ‘Warpath,’ and the catch-chorused ‘Torn In Two’) and give us more than a passing nod to ‘The Mob.’ Riff-based, polished sound, sugar syrup vocals, all the hallmarks of that great 80’s style, very rarely produced and much often tried (and failed) in the noughties… It’s great when a band comes along and offers you a credible outlet in this form when others fail abysmally… Their debut continues in a very strong vein, sing-along choruses a-plenty, and a well tried and trusted musical formula… Syrym have given themselves a head start on the pack, with most of the songs really hitting the spot. Highlights include, the excellent ‘Ugly on the Inside’, ‘Torn In Two’, ‘While America Sleeps’, and the Journey-esque ballad and album closer ‘What I’m Trying to Say’ a song far removed from the rest on offer, but still quality…” Read more - Hardline Magazine
Rating: 8.5/10 – German language review
Translation:
It’s a scandal that this album is only available as an import, because Syrym presents a “phat” piece of music. Not for nothing, but the readers of the US online magazine hardrockhideout.com voted the band the best newcomer of 2008.To be sure, when two musicians are anything but newcomers, it’s about the past members of Babylon AD, Ron Freschi, guitar, and Jamey Pacheco.
Together with singer Jeffrey Winslow, they are, as of yet, unrecognized Hard Rock news.
One minute, his variable voice screams out; the next, cries out mournfully with emotion.
The musical review of this band isn’t too shabby, because the album is a mix of guitar-driven hard rockers like “Warpath” or “Brokedown”, mixed with songs reminiscent of the 80s, that show undeniable roots of that period.
Check out “Ugly On The Inside”, “30 And Dirty”, or “While America Sleeps”, and you realize that Syrym in these moments is not far removed from Babylon AD, Ratt, or Dokken.
An absolute highlight is the dreamlike, piano-accompanied ballad, “What I’m Trying To Say”, which has chart potential, and would most likely lead the band to airplay.
Syrym is a fresh hard-rock band, which, without doubt, will stir interest.
And, as long as they haven’t landed at a label in this country, it’ll likely remain available only as an import. But it’s worthwhile, to check it out at www.syrym.com
- RevelationZ Magazine
“…Syrym are a born again Babylon AD. A late eighties, early nineties band whose brand of fiery, bluesy MHR cut against the grain of the corporate rock which became prevalent during this period…This debut shows that same attitude, tailored for a contemporary audience. An audience whose taste in rock music has become more sophisticated and discerning. An audience whose expectations are high…In places, ‘Syrym’ reminds me of a couple of other bands from the Babylon AD era, who also ploughed their own furrow, like Lynch Mob and the late, lamented Little Caesar, but with more guitars, more drama and bigger choruses….” Read more
- Heavy Metal Time Machine
“…Much like Lillian Axe they carry the solid riffs and sharp hooks of hard rock from years ago, but they manage to bring in some modern elements without losing their edge…overall a very strong album…” Read more
- Shockwave Magazine
“…The guitar work of Ron Freschi was second to none, and the vocals were right on, very crisp and clean…This is a very good, solid hard rock album with the songs being very strong, and the production being great…So if you like classic rock but are also looking for something new to listen to then give this one a try. Definitely worth a listen!!…” Read more
- RockReport.be
“…The music hidden inside is of the mighty fine melodic hard rock variety. Melodic hard rock played the way it was meant to be. Oh, and the names of band members Freschi & Pacheco might ring a bell with some of you, as they were once part of Babylon A.D. Syrym’s debut offers the kind of bouncy hard rock that was typical for the beginning of the 90’s, just before grunge started ruling the day. Think latter day Ratt, Mötley Crüe and, of course, some Babylon A.D….” Read more
- HellSpawn.be
Rating: 91/100 – Dutch language review Read more
- MusikAnSich.de
German language review Read more
- BabylonMagazine.net
Italian language review Read more
- Heavyhardes.de
Rating: 5/6 – German language review Read more
- Metallschaedel auf Rocktour
German language review Read more
- Whiplash.net
Portuguese language review Read more
- RockUnited
“…’Ugly On The Inside’ is more in the vein of the first Babylon A.D. CD. This would have been the first promo single sent out to radio back in the days. Very catchy with a sing-a-long chorus and impressive guitar work…Fans of Babylon A.D, Dokken, Lillian Axe, Lynch Mob, simply can’t go all wrong here…” Read more
