Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

TEMIC prove that there really is strength in numbers. Eric Gillette (Neal Morse) and Diego Tejeida (Devin Townsend, ex-Haken) had already toured the world together with Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress. But after they joined forces with Maraton’s Fredrik Klemp and Simen Sandnes from SHINING, they formed a new supergroup. The Prog Report was so impressed by TEMIC’s debut, that they dubbed Terror Management Theory one of the best albums of last year.

Now, TEMIC are extending their collaborative streak to a whole ‘nother level. Today, prog-metal’s new sensation are hitting the dance floor with a special remix by none other than DJ ZARDONIC.

Terror Management Theory is out now on Season of Mist.

• Order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/Temic
• Stream: https://orcd.co/tmtpresave

“Once More” kicks out a djenty riff that’s in the running for the most headbanging moment on Terror Management Theory, but the skittering drum pattern points to the song’s initial inspiration. After all, it was originally called “Pendulum” in honor of the celebrated Australian Drum & Bass group. “Diego and I are both avid D&B fans”, says Simen. “When we got to talking about how fantastic it would be to remix songs from the album, I knew exactly who to approach for this track”.

While known for his menacing black-and-white mask, Zardonic is recognized by even the most extreme corners of the underground. The EDM behemoth has put his hard-hitting, fleet-footed spin on Gorgoroth, Fear Factory, Bullet for My Valentine and Simen’s other band SHINING. “I admire Zardonic’s style immensely” Simen says. “No matter what it sounds like, you can always tell when you’re listening to one of his songs”.

The connection between these two international players doesn’t stop there, either. Not only does Zardonic play the same brand of keyboard as Diego. He’s a fellow metalhead who’s followed all four members of TEMIC throughout their careers. 

“It was an honor and an absolute blast to work with this dream lineup of a band!” says Zardonic. “I have so much respect for their musicianship and am thankful for the opportunity to bring their sound into the Drum & Bass scene. I hope all the ravers will dance their socks off to this remix. I’m already raving to do this again!” 

The fit might’ve been obvious to both parties, but Zardonic does sneak a nice surprise into “Once More”. The song starts off at a quiet build, only to explode into a full-blown rager. “I wonder if I have a reason to reach for the stars” Klemp belts propelled by surging synths and a hard-charging beat that’s bound to get everyone’s blood (and fists!) pumping in the mosh pit.  

Download the song stems from Terror Management Theory and remix TEMIC’s power-prog anthems into your own  club thumpers. Download stems: https://temic.bandcamp.com/album/tmt-stems

Track list:
1. TMT (2:02)
2. Through the Sands of Time (7:00) [WATCH]
3. Falling Away (4:58) [WATCH]
4. Count Your Losses (6:13) [WATCH]
5. Skeletons (7:00)
6. Acts of Violence (5:52)
7. Friendly Fire (5:57)
8. Paradigm (6:33)
9. Once More (5:45)
10. Mothallah (7:27)[WATCH]
Total: 58:54

Diego Tejeida and Eric Gillette’s vision for TEMIC wasn’t exactly simple: synthesize their love for high-energy electronica and flashy riffs into a killer prog-metal hybrid. But after recruiting former soccer prodigy-turned-Zildjian-endorsed drummer Simen Sandnes (SHINING, Arkentype) to go along with the high-powered falsetto of Fredrik Klemp (Maraton), together, the supergroup managed to connect all those puzzle pieces on their very first album.  

TEMIC came together from across the globe, but they also share a wide variety of influences.

Check out their curated Spotify playlist, which features everyone from GoGo Penguin and Car Bomb to Infected Mushroom, Ólafur Arnalds and the Blade Runner soundtrack.    

Introducing TEMIC—prog’s newest, most ambitious, and most adrenaline-fueled act. TEMIC melds the creative minds of keyboardist and sound designer Diego Tejeida (Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, ex-Haken), guitarist Eric Gillette (The Neal Morse Band, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress), drummer Simen Sandnes (SHINING, Arkentype), and vocalist Fredrik Klemp (Maraton, 22).

The origins of TEMIC date back to 2017, when Tejeida and Gillette toured the world as band members of Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress. From the very first chords they exchanged, their musical chemistry both on and off stage was undeniable, leading them to discuss the prospect of starting a new band together. Unfortunately, conflicting tour and recording commitments forced them to turn their attention elsewhere for years—that is, until the world came to a standstill in 2020, and Tejeida called Gillette to ask a fateful question:
“Remember how we said we should make music together? Well, how about now?”

Thus, the first demos for what would later become TEMIC’s 2023 debut album, Terror Management Theory, began to emerge. Within a few weeks after that initial phone call, the musical vision of TEMIC had become clear: Let’s create progressive music that is heavily influenced by high-energy electronic music, but arranged and orchestrated for a 5-piece modern prog rock/metal band—where, at last, the pulse can be the focus, and the vocal melody can be king.

Eager to join forces with the very best bandmates, Tejeida and Gillette first summoned the rhythmic power of their friend and drummer Sandnes. With characteristic enthusiasm, Sandnes seized the opportunity, prepared to contribute his percussive prowess as the heartbeat of TEMIC. When it came time to find the singer that would carry TEMIC’s melodies to new heights, Sandnes recommended vocal powerhouse Klemp, whose emotive delivery and unmatched intensity left no doubt that he was destined to be the voice of TEMIC. Finally, to round out the rhythm section of Terror Management Theory, dynamic bassist Jacob Umansky (Intervals) was invited on board as a guest player, gracing the album with an unrivaled groove and a signature low-end sound.

Together, this mammoth lineup is TEMIC, a high-energy, electronic-inspired, modern melodic prog metal band for the next generation.

Line-up:
Fredrik Bergersen (Maraton, 22) – Vocals
Eric Gillette (The Neal Morse Band, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress) – Guitars and Backing Vocals
Simen Sandnes (Shining, Arkentype)  – Drums and Percussion
Diego Tejeida (Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, ex-Haken) – Keyboards and Sound Design
 
Recording Studio: Drums and vocals recorded at Top Floor Studios (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Producer: Produced by TEMIC. Drums and vocals engineered by Jakob Herrmann Gothenburg, Sweden)
Mix/Mastering: Mixed and mastered by Rich Mouser at The Mouse House (Los Angeles, USA)
 
Guest musicians:
Jacob Umansky (USA) – Bass guitar on the whole album
Mosaic Gospel Choir (Norway) – Mothallah
Garden State Threshold Choir (USA) – Mothallah

Follow Temic
https://temicband.com
www.facebook.com/TEMICBAND
www.instagram.com/temicband