Toronto prog rockers Derev are on a cross-country tour that will bring them to Sudbury on May 2 at The Townehouse Tavern.
The band is touring with their newly released first full-length album “Troubled Mind.” The follow-up to their 2021 debut EP “Leap of Faith.”
The album explores the “intricacies of the human psyche, addressing a spectrum of mental health issues with each track, ranging from temporary mental instability to more severe conditions such as schizophrenia, cognitive immobility (a fixation on the past), and depression stemming from loss.”
Derev said musically, “Troubled Mind” offers a “diverse range of sounds”: mellow and calm, headbangers with a distinctive progressive rock sound, unique time signatures and Middle-Eastern influences, with instrumentation ranging from keyboards to new instruments like as the cajon and darbuka, and electronic elements.
“This album is very personal and introspective. It’s full of memorable songs and parts to listen to and digest, both from a musical and lyrical perspective,” the band said in a news release. “Every song tackles a different state of mind and takes the listener into their thoughts of a mental state that they can relate to.”
As this one marks our second official release, we think the fans will be excited about hearing what Derev still has to offer. They’re in for a crazy ride full of energetic ups and heartbreaking downs.”
Derev was founded by drummer Michel Karakach, who fled the war in Syria for Canada, where he reunited with his best friend, guitarist Armando Bablanian, in Toronto and formed the band.
Rounding out the group is bassist Stan Komarovsky, keyboardist Ran Zehavi and vocalist Mike Symons (who has replaced previous singer Adel Saflou, whose recorded vocals are featured on “Troubled Mind”).
If you like Opeth, Dream Theatre, Porcupine Tree, Soen, or Riverside, Derev could be for you.