Contemporary Progressive Rock finds one of its most mature expressions in the new work by DarWin, a stellar supergroup returning with “Distorted Mirror,” the second release from the formation led by songwriter and guitarist DarWin alongside drumming legend Simon Phillips (Toto, Jeff Beck, The Who, Judas Priest, Tears for Fears). The quintet, completed by charismatic vocalist Matt Bissonette (Joe Satriani, Ringo Starr, Elton John), virtuoso bassist Mohini Dey (Steve Vai, Willow Smith, Guthrie Govan), and phenomenal guitarist Greg Howe (Michael Jackson, Protocol, Justin Timberlake), presents an album that ideally follows “Five Steps on the Sun,” released during 2024. The album opens with the suspended atmospheres of “Rising Distortion,” an instrumental piece that evolves from delicate introductions toward prog-fusion territories of rare intensity. The composition serves as a sonic manifesto for the project, with Simon Phillips constructing complex rhythmic architectures while Greg Howe and DarWin weave guitar dialogues of extraordinary technical refinement, supported by Derek Sherinian‘s keyboards that add orchestral depth. The granite-solid title track marks Matt Bissonette‘s first vocal intervention, whose dynamic stage presence fits perfectly into the intricate instrumental fabric. Progressive Rock reaches notable qualitative peaks here: the Phillips-Dey rhythm section builds solid foundations for melodic and harmonic elaborations of great depth, while guitar lines interweave with surgical precision with keyboard textures. The compositional complexity never sacrifices accessibility, a distinctive characteristic of the group’s songwriting. “Man Vs. Machine” confirms the formation’s modern prog approach, expertly balancing melodic sections with instrumentally complex passages of high technical sophistication. Mohini Dey demonstrates all her talent in the central sections, where her bass engages in virtuosic dialogue with Howe‘s guitars in duets that transform the piece into a concentrate of contemporary Prog-Fusion. Sherinian‘s keyboards provide the perfect harmonic glue, while Phillips orchestrates rhythmic dynamics that span from tighter grooves to more elaborate fusion explosions. With “33rd Century Man,” DarWin explores more contemplative territories without losing their progressive identity. Percussion adds ethnic colors to the already rich sonic palette, while the compositional structure alternates moments of melodic introspection with solistic explosions that showcase Greg Howe‘s technical mastery. The track’s architectural crescendo demonstrates compositional maturity that places the group among contemporary Pogressive excellence. The Heavy opening of “Cry A River” introduces powerful guitar riffs that blend with Derek Sherinian‘s keyboard orchestrations, sustained by a rhythm section that demonstrates perfect synergy between Phillips and Dey. The track represents the perfect balance between melody and technical complexity, with Matt Bissonette offering vocal interpretations of great emotional expressiveness. The ensemble cohesion reaches excellent levels, with each musician contributing to the final result without ever overwhelming the others. “Glow” explores more marked jazz-fusion influences, confirming the project’s stylistic versatility. The compositional approach balances accessibility and technical sophistication, allowing both novice listeners and experienced enthusiasts to appreciate the different musical stratifications. Executive mastery manifests without ever becoming self-referential. “Loophole” returns to the classic Progressive atmospheres of the ’90s, reinterpreted through a distinctive contemporary sensitivity. The arpeggiated introduction and Bissonette‘s warm vocal approach create an enveloping atmosphere, while the subsequent development alternates melodic sections with passages of sophisticated harmonic elaboration. The instrumental solos reach peaks of compositional and technical refinement that testify to the absolute class of the performers. The album concludes with “Winter Fare,” where piano notes interweave with guitars and Mohini Dey‘s profound bass lines in an emotional crescendo that culminates in Prog-Jazz explorations of remarkable expressive intensity. The compositional structure maintains constant accessibility even in the most elaborate sections, demonstrating artistic maturity that makes this track a perfect finale to this musical journey. “Distorted Mirror” represents a significant milestone in the contemporary Progressive Rock landscape. The expectations generated by the stellar lineup find full confirmation in an album that demonstrates how technical virtuosity can harmoniously coexist with melodic accessibility and expressive emotionality. Each musician’s individual mastery sublimes into a choral sound of rare cohesion, where the most technically elaborate sections never sacrifice listening enjoyment. The DarWin project confirms itself at the pinnacle of the international Progressive scene, presenting a perfectly structured tracklist that maintains high attention from opening to conclusion. The balance between compositional complexity and melodic immediacy, supported by arrangements of the highest level and excellent instrumental performances, places “Distorted Mirror” among this year’s most significant Progressive releases. A work destined to remain as a reference point for the genre, testimony to the creative vitality of Progressive Rock in the contemporary musical landscape.
Tracklist
01. Rising Distortion
02. Distorted Mirror
03. Man vs. Machine
04. 33rd Century Man
05. Cry a River
06. Glow
07. Loophole
08. Winter Fare
Lineup
DarWin / Guitars
Simon Phillips / Drums & Percussion
Matt Bissonette / Lead Vocals
With:
Mohini Dey / Bass
Greg Howe / Guitars
Derek Sherinian / Keyboards
Andrew Freeman / Vocals (7)
Purchase “Distorted Mirrror” here: https://darwin.tmstor.es/
Read our Exclusive interview with DarWin here: https://progrockjournal.com/interview-exclusive-interview-with-prog-rock-supergroup-darwin/