Sight of Theia, an Atlanta-based progressive metal band, is set to release their first full-length album, The Great Dreamer, on January 11, 2025. Following the release of their 2021 EP, Lighthouse, the band has taken their sound further, putting together an album that combines nasty riffs, complex arrangements, and a touch of Southern stoner metal.
The album takes listeners through an evolving soundscape, from the upbeat optimism of tracks like “Children of the Uplift” to the darker, more introspective atmosphere of “Alea Iacta Est.” Inspired by modern progressive metal bands such as Meshuggah and local favorites like Mastodon, Sight of Theia combines technicality with a raw, earthy edge.
The album’s title track, “The Great Dreamer,” is described by the band as a “séance for Cthulhu,” reflecting the song’s ominous tone and connection to H.P. Lovecraft-inspired themes.
While primarily an instrumental record, The Great Dreamer includes vocals on the track “Vagabond,” featuring Mezzianna, a longtime friend of the band. His contribution adds a narrative layer that sets up the album’s overarching theme and contrasts with the instrumental focus of the other tracks.
“We are all very happy with how the track came together so we wanted to include it on the album,” guitarist Alex Buhlig said. “I think lyrically it does a good job of setting up the story we wanted to try and tell musically.”
The band recorded and produced the album in Atlanta, collaborating with John Douglass at Vorticist Studios for drum tracking and Alexa Parra at Second Sight Sound Studios for bass and guitar editing. Mixing and mastering were handled by Christoffer Borg at Far Beyond Productions in Sweden, bringing a polished finish to the record.
About the album’s structure, Buhlig stated: “At first it was really just writing and getting more material out there after ‘Lighthouse’ EP, but as the songs came together and we started to lean into the stoner-metal-meets-Meshuggah thing, we decided to put everything together in a way that takes the listener down that rabbit hole.”
To celebrate the album’s release, Sight of Theia will perform at Smith’s Olde Bar in the Atlanta Room on January 11, 2025. The album will be available on all major streaming platforms and Bandcamp the same day.
The Great Dreamer Track Listing:
1. Children of the Uplift
2. Gravity Well
3. Vagabond (feat. Mezzianna)
4. The Great Dreamer
5. Mad Hatter
6. Parhelion
7. Alea Iacta Est
8. Vagabond
Line-up:
Alex Buhlig – Guitar, Synth
Charles Von Kanel – Guitars
Bill Pritchard – Bass
Ricky Shenkmen – Drums
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