Album review: FICTION SYXX – Ghost Of My Fathers Past

MR Records [Release date 04.08.21 digital/28.09.21 physical]

Here we have the third album from Fiction Syxx who have been pretty consistent in releasing a new album every couple of years since they started back in 2017. The band consists of Mark Allen Lanoue on lead vocals & guitar (BILOXI, PERSIAN RISK, MESSAGE), JK Northrup on guitar, vocals & production (XYZ, KING KOBRA), drummer Rory Faciane (BILOXI, FALL FROM EDEN), bassist Larry Hart (KING KOBRA, MONTROSE) and Eric Ragno on keyboards (THE BABYS, JOE LYNN TURNER).

Fiction Syxx give their own spin to the Black Sabbath classic ‘Children Of The Sea’, with superlative guitar solos and very tasty Hammond playing from Eric Ragno. Then we have the catchy melodic metal beast that is ‘Caught Up in the Moment’. Loving the Eastern influences on this one as well.

If powerful prog metal is your bag, ‘History Comes Tumbling Down’ is just for you. The guitars, the keys solo (a serious air keyboards moment to be had on this one!) and a big, anthemic chorus. ‘This Place Called Life’ with its chugging riff and rolling drumbeat is another stand out.

At the gentler end of the scale ‘Innocence’ is a full on ballad. A strong message on this one too, where we should get away from the ‘it’s all about me’ and be grateful for what we have and those in our lives. ‘Waiting, Wondering’ is another top draw ballad, with the piano/keys playing of Eric Ragno a key part of the song. Mind you the vocal performance of Mark Lanoue is pretty special too.

Fiction Syxx have been promising an album like this for some time, after two very strong preceding albums. On ‘Ghost Of My Fathers Past’ they really have hit the musical heights. Fantastic listening and a ‘must have’ for those who like melodic metal/hard rock with a distinct progressive edge. ****1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)