As we find ourselves amidst an age of innovation where it seems to be that bands new and old are seeking to carve out new corners of their respective sounds, it remains a substantial constant that it doesn’t oftentimes feel that is the case. It takes quite a bit to bring everything together in such a compelling form that makes one feel as though something fresh is taking place, yet it can be all too easy to fumble such a concoction that, understandably, can be quite a bit to juggle at one time. Given that simple truth, a band that can accomplish such splendor is almost guaranteed to find a fanbase quick if the circumstances are met. Sykofant made a bit of a splash with last year’s release, and now they’re poised to do it again with the first in a pair of EPs this year.

The sheer scope of anything fitting of the “progressive” tagged is something that will never cease to amaze me. Much like the scale of anything worthy of being called psychedelic, it can truly be the case that you can come across one album after another for weeks at a time and never come across two albums that sound quite the same in some form or another. It still takes talent, though, to bring all of that potential to heel and into a cohesive performance that capitalizes on such possibilities. While three tracks seems like hardly any time whatsoever to deliver on that concept, it’s with all that was delivered within “Red Sun” that Sykofant does so splendidly. Taking place within the same realm of space that Sykofant’s previous work inhabited, we are given nothing but an impressive display of craftsmanship, exploration, and daring mixed together in a cauldron that does far more than simply give off the impression that there’s more than meets the eye to the band. Rather, “Red Sun” makes it clear throughout its highs and lows that Sykofant is already intimately in control of their sprawling sound. Invoking more than a few notes from jazz, psychedelia, and other reaches of rock music to make for a spectacular blend that never holds back in order to deliver a captivating experience that the listener can truly become lost within, this is an EP that has real magic infused into its very DNA. A hypnotic delight that is always overflowing with tons of flavor, “Red Sun” is the intergalactic trip I didn’t know I needed.

This is an EP that practically has it all. Sykofant may have only been around for hardly anytime whatsoever, yet it should be immensely clear that this is a band that is not to be underestimated that this is a band we simply must keep an eye on. Whatever is to come next in the promised EP later this year and beyond, all that was delivered within “Red Sun” is more than enough to keep us coming back for more as, surely, time will prove this is a name that has much more room to grow.

“Red Sun” releases on March 20th!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Red Sun” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Sykofant on Facebook here.