Glyphic: What You Have Been Waiting For
Tory Reade, Urbane Magazine
The literal meaning of Glyphic is: "a symbolic figure usually incised or carved in relief." Take that translation, add some staggeringly good instrumentals and lyrics that mean something more than what can be found in a thirteen year olds diary, and you have Glyphic, the band.
Based out of Denver, Colorado, Glyphic is comprised of four musicians who come from solid musical backgrounds, Scott (vocals, guitar), Ken (drums), Shawn (bass), and Ryan (vocals, guitar) prove they are the real deal. While all members have been parts of different musical ventures before, they've managed to put their past experiences to their advantage, helping Glyphic stand apart from the masses.
Possessing the edge that's required to truly be considered rock in the sea of pre-fabricated pop-punk that's out there today, Glyphic's sound is as original as it is solid. Tracks such as Guardian, Phobic and Plastic Girl display the talent and hard work that can be heard clearly in the instrumentals that flow seamlessly from verse to bridge to chorus and back again. With guitar solos reminiscent of Scandinavian metal band, Opeth's earlier work, lending an almost haunting melodic quality to the music, Glyphic makes sure there is nothing average about their music.
Lyrically speaking, Glyphic isn't screaming about how miserable they are, nor have the succumbed to the "fame-denouncement" that seems to be so popular with kids today. Keeping lyrics melodic, allows the heavier guitar riffs to stand out in stark contrast, giving songs a unique quality. That being said, vocals don't take a back seat on these tracks. Ryan delivers lyrics with a powerful, yet almost regretful tone, adding to the atmosphere of songs like Walk Away, a song that seems to showcase everyone's talent from being able to hear every drum beat, bass line, guitar riff and word from start to finish.
With their LP "Everything Eventual," which was released on May 22, 2009, it's clear that Glyphic is well on their way to achieving their common goal of being a success in the music industry. Their obvious talent, determination and the timeless quality their music possesses, it's clear that Glyphic is here to stay.
Glyphic: A Rock Prototype
Brian Campbell, Vertasource
Glyphic is one of, if not, the best unsigned rock band(s) I have heard out of Denver yet. The band shows that on its recently released self-titled EP; the lyrics are introspective and accessible and the music is as smart as rock music comes nowadays.
Granted Glyphic’s S/T EP is a mere three tracks long, it only takes the first track, First Home, to have you instantly hooked. This is probably the best song on the outing and if you give it a listen, you will quickly find out why. From the opening chugging guitar riff to the clear-cut vocals, combined with the way that Glyphic seems to effortlessly slide in and out of textbook verses and choruses, there is no way you will not be into this band musically. The overall sound of the EP is one that could be closely related to a hybrid of Becoming I-era Unloco and White Pony-era Deftones, mixed with equal parts Lifer, Onesidezero, Chevelle and earlier Revelation Theory.
The musical onslaught moves harder at this point, when the tracks change over to Plastic Girl. Through the use of a nice start/stop guitar dynamic and strong willed double-bass fills, this song is as captivating as it is heavy. But, it does not stop there at all, as closing track Phobic will not disappoint. Probably the hookiest song of the album, Glyphic utilizes extreme melodies and poignant choruses to keep the listener interested as the CD comes to a close.
Once you listen to this EP all the way through, you will want to listen to it again, since it is only three songs long, clocking in at 9:29 minutes. Regardless, this is a band that people should be looking at and paying attention to, since it is comprised of four talented musicians. Their rock sound is something of mainstream quality, but not overly so.
Glyphic is a prototypical rock band. They are the band that your rock band should sound like. I guess it is time to start studying up.
