Drum Dynasty Releases Epic Third Installment entitled “Time Machine”

The sense of impending uncertainty is the driving force behind Drum Dynasty’s, Time Machine. Let’s get it out of the way, now. Ambient, is going to be a word tossed around, like a pre-covid, loaded vape pin at a Phish concert, to describe this record. What’s truly interesting is that Drum Dynasty, skillfully evaded this self-fulfilling prophecy, by cleverly disguising conceptual art as ambience. There is a science fiction like theme to Time Machine. Its exact meaning is quite possibly, subjective, and that’s also likely by design.

Of course, it’s all in the name. The drumming on this record, is the entire nucleus of its existence. The toms are so deep and thunderous, the reverberations are of mythological proportions. If you’re going to call yourself Drum Dynasty, you had better mic your kit, to maximum quality. That is accomplished here, and then some. Some might draw comparisons to Danny Carey, which is accurate, but not limited to.

Truth be told, there is actually a heavy Pink Floyd influence, looming on Time Machine. It’s an entirely instrumental album, and while, Dark Side Of The Moon is not, it does feature two tracks that are. “On The Run” in particular would not feel out of place, on a random shuffle with Time Machine. Drum Dynasty have painted their portrait with a heightened sense of urgency, and shades of future shock.

“Countdown” which is the opening track, is actually one of my favorite on the record. It utilizes a simple, and possibly tired tactic, to build anticipation for what is to come. Cliché as a traditional countdown may be, it sets the tone for the aural journey on which you are about to embark. The questions of what the rest of the work may contain, is what drives its narrative. As suggested at the top of the review, Time Machine is likely a concept album, that conveys the hyper-anxiety that is attached to the infinite variables of time travel.

“Darkmatter,” is notable for the fact that it is one of the first songs to feature a guitar. With the steel laden strings, it has a desert wasteland texture to it. Many of the tracks on Time Machine employ various soundscapes created by synthesizers and to great effect. Drum Dynasty is careful to never let things become predictable, by shifting the direction in the most timely fashion. They even veer into quasi Avant Garde territory, deep into the record on “Seven Sisters,” by using sparse sound effects to a hollow, eerie effect.

Time Machine is a collaborative effort by Seven Against Thebes bandmates, Bruce Burgess and Cyrus Rhodes. Bruce is the drummer, and the centerpiece of this record, Rhodes the guitarist of Seven Against Thebes and producer of Time Machine. Throw in Composer, Michael Carrol, and you’ve got a broad banded team of neo alt rock veterans. While Seven Against Thebes is a much more traditional outfit than Drum Dynasty, there are some parallels that reveal a nonlinear.  progression.

Time Machine is a record that you can find yourself fully immersed in, or like me chill, relax and lounge to. If there was ever time to escape to another dimension, Drum Dynasty has at least offered an elitist glimpse to how it may sound, upon arrival. In the end Time Machine proves it’s not just about the arrival, it’s about the journey, unfortunately many will fail to realize the moment, grasp it’s brilliance and enjoy the beauty along the way.  

Written by Mark Ryan, posted by Michael Rand