REVIEW 1 - AARDSCHOK MAGAZINEMeyvn - Splintered SkiesKillzone RecordsTwo weeks ago I was hanging around the Prog-power forum at UltimateMetal. It was there that some guy [actually it was Pyramaze51]recommended this band called Meyvn to me. Because I never heard ofthem I looked up their Myspace and was very impressed with what Iheard. So I immediately ordered their album. And I never regretted it.The debut album of this band from Texas sounds fantastic. The vocalsare very powerful and melodic en the rhythm section thunders throughthis album at full force. But especially the mighty guitar playing isa beauty to behold. I have never heard someone play with this muchvariation to emphasize the different moment in their songs. Thecompositions tend to the prog side of the metal spectrum but are neverneedlessly complicated. It is however especially guitarist Drew thatis stealing the show. [I did not know who of the two is doing theleads. It might be both Drew or Jon Simpson]. He really is a diverseplayer! Remember that name because it's a real talent. That the songsare not chaotic but retain their melody is telling about the writingskills of this band. This is American quality metal of the highestlevel possible! A great album that I will keep on playing. This ispure class!9.2/10Henri Serton - AARDSCHOK MAGAZINE----------------REVIEW TAKEN FROM PITRIFF ONLINEMeyvn - SPLINTERED SKIES (Independent)MeyvnSPLINTERED SKIESIndependentThere are some really excellent bands coming out of the state of Texas right now, OUTWORLD, EDEN’S TWILIGHT and HABITUAL just to name a few. Not sure you could name one that is more poised to make a name for themselves than MEYVN though. Right from the opening salvo of “Answer Me” you know you are in for a progressive feast. This is the band’s full length debut, and when I say full length I mean it because these songs are long. The album is well over an hour long with six tracks that crack the seven minute mark. Splintered Skies is not to be taken lightly, this is one you have to buckle yourself in for.Obviously when you are talking about progressive album with long running times DREAM THEATER comes to mind. That comparison holds true for MEYVN as well. Like the masters of the genre these guys often suffer from a severe case of riff-a-rama disease. With too many time and tempo changes to count, this is the kind of album that could either send you into euphoria or running screaming from the room depending on what your view of progressive metal in general is. For me this kind of technical precision works if the songs can sustain the performances. Here they do that wonderfully. Tracks like “Disturbed” “Seize” and “Future Untold” slip in and out of tempos effortlessly and pull surprisingly catchy choruses out of what often seems like chaos. My favorite tracks are “Future Untold” “Let Loose the Dogs” and especially “Power of Fear” which is not coincidentally the shortest track on the album.When a band decides to make a career out of progressive metal one thing is always certain. You have to have extreme confidence in your ability to play. When each song is extended it goes without saying that at some point in each track everyone in the band is going to be given a chance to showcase his talents. If there is a person in the band that is not up to the task then they will be exposed post haste. That is why most well known progressive bands are populated by musicians that are always considered at or near the top of their given fields. It is here that MEYVN shines. While I didn’t always enjoy what they were playing, it was still inspiring to hear these guys work. Guitarists Jon Simpson and Drew Creel, bassist Ken Liao and drummer Brad Olson showcase the kind of tight precision that can only come from endless hours of rehearsal. Over these often Herculean efforts singer Rick Clark (hailing from England) lays down an impassioned vocal.PITRIFF RATING – 8/10 - For a debut album this is often brilliant if not over ambitious at times. Through sheer musical prowess I would expect bigger things for MEYVN in the future. Now if we could just get them to lighten up a bit!Added: Tuesday, July 18, 2006Reviewer: Shawn GouldScore: 4/5 STARS---------------REVIEW TAKEN FROM METAL OBSERVERMeyvn - Splintered Skies (8/10) - USA - 2006Genre: Progressive MetalLabel: Self-productionPlaying time: 68:55Band homepage: MeyvnTracklist: 1. Answer Me 2. Disturbed 3. Arise 4. Seize 5. Future Untold 6. One World 7. Furnulum Pani Nolo 8. Power Of Fear 9. Let Loose The Dogs 10. In Whose NameMeyvn - Splintered SkiesI gotta say, I am really surprised that MEYVN is only three years old and that this is a self-released album. The production is fantastically rich and full-bodied without being soulless, while the band sounds like hungry Prog Metal veterans that want to punch you in the face. Uh-oh. I said Prog. I can hear people already whispering “DREAM THEATER, FATES WARNING.” Seriously, aside from the fact they’re in the same genre, the only thing MEYVN has in common with DT is an Asian bassist (yes, I know I’m going to hell). Really, if I’m going to compare them to anybody it’s going to be DRAGONFORCE for all the fast-as-Flash shredding, but they’re far more adventurous and, y’know, progressive. But they’ve got a chip on their collective shoulder that reminds me of older Heavy Metal bands like BROCAS HELM and SLOUGH FEG; they’re aggressive without giving into histrionics. Awesome. Okay, so they aren’t turning out the most unique material ever unheard by man. But there’s energy, there’s conviction, there’s honesty in these songs and an attitude that takes us out of the safe kiddie pool some bands want to keep us in. Vocalist Richard Clark has fire in his voice and the low-tuned guitars crunch when they’re not soloing. Every now and then, Ken Liao’s bass belches forth a smoky expulsion with force and intelligently used keyboards crackle on the periphery. If there’s a complaint, it’s that the songs can be too long. Only two are under six minutes, while “One World” tops eleven minutes; at times, it seems like the song length isn’t because the ideas warrant it, but rather because that’s how long Prog songs should be. Here’s hoping that MEYVN get heard. Here’s hoping that labels and established bands pay attention. Here’s hoping “Splintered Skies” gives the turgid traditional Progressive Metal scene a much-needed shot in the arm. These guys are good; they’re Prog with a spine and with a boot they’re willing to put in your a**. They’ll appeal to Prog, Power, Hard Rock, Heavy and Melodic Metal fans and have the potential to become a sensation. Let’s see if the fickle masses will give them their due. (Online July 7, 2006)Keith Stevens