Artist description Synthology is a studio project specializing in progressive rock. No sequencing or other such computer tricks are used in any of these recordings.

Music Style Progressive / Art Rock

Musical Influences Genesis (Gabriel era), Steve Hackett, Rick Wakeman, Bach, ELP, PFM, Supertramp, Renaissance, Anthony Phillips, King Crimson, Pat Metheny, Moody Blues, Mike Oldfield, Beatles

Similar Artists Genesis, Steve Hackett, Anthony Phillips, King Crimson

Artist History John has been playing piano for 25 years and synths for 15. James has been playing guitar for 20 years. We've been doing music on and off for many years now.

Group Members John Alarcon (keyboards, composer) James Alarcon (Guitars)

Instruments Piano, synthesizers, guitar, percussion, sampled sounds (mellotron, strings, etc)

Albums Between Day and Night (2000), The Fairest of Moments (2002)

Press Reviews "Synthology has a big, melodic prog sound, heavy on long toned guitar and translucent keyboards. Evocative of a softer, dreamier version of Asia, their music is thoughtfully conceived, and makes for rewarding listening. John and James Alarcon on piano, synths, and guitars, have fashioned what they call: "...in some ways a concept album..born in the dreams and the nightmares of the human condition." Nevertheless, a celestial-bright keyboard sheen (similar to that used by Iasos on his great Angelic Music) predominates, surrounding the yearning voice of Marysa Mardini, Churchill Downes on bass, and "The Winkler" - methinks a machine - on drums. John has impressive keyboard chops which nod, occasionally, in a direction of Keith Emerson. Special mention goes to the great riff he’s fashioned for the title track, which boasts some beautiful harmonies. They also get kudos for excellent cover graphics: the trippy aura, set against a background of stark white, perfectly compliments the music's heady atmosphere." (Progression Magazine issue 39). "The oft-forgotten Canada has another musician worthy of attention here. John Alarcon (keyboards) together with family member James (guitar), have completed their 6-month labour of love and released a cd drenched in lush synths and piano, over which the excellent Hernandez (Cast) style guitar soars. If I was to try to provide comparators, I would suggest a prog-lite Cast, or maybe a more ethereal Tantalus. Overall, the comparison I am most drawn to is the underrated Tony Banks solo album 'A Curious Feeling', as much for the keyboard-led sounds as well as the atmospherics of the album as a whole. Whilst the production occasionally lacks the clarity that I always seem to require in my own personal listening habits, the listening experience is most pleasant, and the enjoyment seems to increase with every listen as more nuances are drawn out. Singer Marysa Mardini has a good voice, and the drums are such that they undermine the thought that they may be machine generated. In short, a solid album of keyboard-led music, with much stirring guitar and haunting melody to please the ear" (Wondrous Stories Feb 2001)"On first listen the music is overwhelming. However, when you listen again and become more familiar with the works, as is the case with all great music, this artist is truely a professional. Take the time to appreciate fine compositions, music which is combining the artfulness of the classics with the circumstances of progressive rock." (Good_Vibes Listen.com) "There are records which appear from nowhere, but from the very first sound you feel your heart beating faster. Unknown to anybody brothers John and James Alarcon supported by Marysa Mardini and bassist Churchill Downes have released a cd which fans of reflective and intelligent music will love immediately. If you remember the first solo record of Genesis keyboardist Tony Banks – Synthology has the same atmosphere and moody sound like his 1979 release “A Curious Feeling”. We have here very similar synthesizer sounds, the same melancholic atmosphere and slowly building climate. It’s splendid to listen to this music as it flows to our ears inconspicuously, but in the final effect it breaks into our brain so deeply that it stays in the brain for long hours. We have beautiful songs like Abracadabra or Nosferatu, we have ravishing instrumental compositions like The Voyage of Dexius. It's a pity the record is so short and I wish that the magic of this magnificent record would continue much longer. This is not a problem since my hand automatically goes back to the play button. One more good piece of information for the end of this year: Synthology will release their next cd and I can’t stand waiting for it. (Artur Chachlowski May issue of Metal Hammer magazine - Poland)'Between day and night' is a high quality release and a total must for fans of Neo-prog. The CD contains 10 songs, of which about 6 songs feature the good female lead vocals of Marysa Mardini. Opener "Comes the night" is an excellent instrumental uptempo melodic Neo-prog rocker. Next track "Abracadabra" features the female lead vocals and is great Neoprog, with some lovely keyboard work of John Alarcon, who together with his brother James (guitarist) are the leaders of SYNTHOLOGY. The CD continues in this Neo-prog style, with both instrumental and vocal tracks. The best songs are "Between day and night" (great female fronted Neoprog, a la TRACY HITCHINGS), "Curtain call" (polished ballad) and the instrumental slow melodic rocker "Living in dreamland". SYNTHOLOGY is a very good band, a must for fans of Neoprog.(score 8/10) More info at: http://www.fossilrecords.net (Strutter Magazine Dec 2001) Rating: 8/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem) "This second release by Synthology is a very tasty neo-prog album, with longer pieces and a little more adventure than the band's debut release "Between Day and Night". Virtually a one-man band, Canadian based keyboard player John Alarcon has surrounded himself with some very able friends to help out. However, it is Alarcon himself who stands out, with some excellent keyboard work. His schizoid piano style is not dissimilar to Patrick Moraz, which shows particularly in the opening track "The Falling Sky". Elsewhere though his keyboards are much more restrained, especially in the use of strings and choral effects which tastefully add to the music. His writing abilities are good too, and he cleverly uses the dynamics to give momentum to the music. One small criticism might be that the vocals of Marysa Mardini are a little too low in the mix, and that the vocals sometimes don't quite gel. Mardini isn't a bad singer at all, but the result here is just a little over earnest. An imaginative album then, including a three part eighteen-minute epic "The Fairest of Moments" which has some interesting ideas." - Bernard Law, Wondrous Stories (magazine of the Classic Rock Society, UK) March 2002 The second album by the Canadian progressive ensemble Synthology is entitled The Fairest Of Moments. A studio project of brothers John Alarcon (keyboards, composer) and James Alarcon (Guitars), lead vocals are provided by John's wife Marysa Mardini. Churchill Downes plays bass on the album. The Fairest Of Moments and the band's debut album Between Day And Night (review under construction) are both available from their American label Fossil Records. The band have announced a further album entitled A Requiem for Twilight that will be released in early 2003. John Alarcon's classical training is evident in the opening sequence of the epic length track "The Falling Sky" through the effective blending of piano and synthesizer keyboard parts. James' guitar riffs add texture as the pace of the symphonic piece picks up and Marysa's vocals join the mix. Likened by some to Tracy Hitchings on the group's former album, Marysa's voice is textured differently with a purity similar to Annie Haslam's but in a lower range; her vocals are also somewhat less theatrical. Backing vocals from the men adds substance in the more powerful moments. The album's instrumentals ("The Bridge" and "Lost In The Cathedral") blend lush symphonic arrangements, including woodwind and string sounds, swirling keyboard passages and guitar. One will be reminded of the classic 70s progressive rock textures of of Yes, ELP, Renaissance and other bands like Rebekka and Esthetic Pale. Listeners will certainly be reminded of Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson in John's keyboard work, especially during the introduction to the progressive masterwork "Through The Doors Of Time." Marysa's vocals are mixed way up in "Seven Wonders," a ballad-style track with classically progressive overtones especially in the keyboard- and guitar-centred bridge. The upbeat track "Edge Of The World" perfectly balances layers of keyboards and guitars with Marysa's voice. A choral style keyboard in the bridge perfectly compliments a dynamic guitar solo. The title track is a three part epic that runs more than eighteen minutes with big themes that recur as the piece develops. Sweetly sung vocals are mixed way up in several of the passages, way above the swirling keyboard and guitar arrangements. Instrumental and stylistic similarities to Magenta (Musical Discoveries Best New Album 2001) are evident during several of the passages. The final portion of the track begins with a tremendous guitar solo supported by lush keyboard and percussion arrangements as vocals join the mix and the number brings the album to a tremendous conclusion. Synthology's latest album will appeal to a broad range of progressive rock audiences. Soundbites and further reviews are available at the band's website and mp3.com webspace. Click on the album cover to pay them a visit now. With the perfect blend of classical allusions, lovely female vocals and enduring instrumental arrangements, The Fairest Of Moments like their debut album is naturally a must listen! (Russ Eliott, Musical Discoveries)

Location Montreal, Quebec - Canada

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