Toronto-based progressive rock outfit Derev are set to launch their full-length album Troubled Mind at the end of March 2025. Today, in partnership with Prog Sphere, the band release a new single from the upcoming release; watch a video for “Tides of Time” below.
The track showcases the distress of “cognitive immobility”, a mental trap that leads to an effort to recreate past incidents that one lived in the past. By doing so, the person attempts to retrieve what was left behind, leaving them stuck in a place that no longer exists in reality.
Drummer Michel Karakach shares:
“Leaving my hometown in Syria at the age of 25, after having built so many wonderful friendships, memories, and experiences was a struggle I never knew I’d have to deal with until I did. Finding myself reminiscing over and over about my past life inspired me to write about it as a form of therapy. I never knew this was an actual mental diagnosis until I did some research on it.“
While “Tides of Time” may sound simple and straightforward for first-time listeners, the truth is far from it. This song is filled with hidden gems and rhythmic intricacies that can only be caught by well-trained ears. It features a 7/8 time signature layered over a pulsing 4/4 backbeat, creating a mesmerizing polyrhythmic loop throughout. As the song progresses from a mellow, slow vibe to an intense, epic crescendo, a standout guitar solo seamlessly ties all the elements together. It concludes with the same bass riff that opened the track, forming an endless loop that mirrors the song’s central theme.
Troubled Mind is Derev’s first full length and second release to follow their 2021 debut EP Leap of Faith. Derev was conceived after founding member, and drummer Michel Karakach, after fleeing the war in the Middle East and finding refuge in Toronto, Canada, reunited with his best friend, guitarist Armando Bablanian to turn what was once a mere childhood dream into now a powerful reality.
Troubled Mind builds on the foundation laid in Derev’s first release, offering a diverse range of sounds from mellow, calm tracks to adrenaline-pumping heavy headbangers, while maintaining their distinctive progressive rock sound, enriched with Middle Eastern influences. Incorporating more prominent keyboard parts, experimenting with various time signatures, and introducing new instruments such as the Cajon, Darbuka, and electronic elements. This evolution showcases the band’s innovative spirit and commitment to pushing musical boundaries.
“While our debut EP tackled broad themes like war, technology, and injustice in the world, Troubled Mind shifts focus to the personal realm. We wanted to explore and articulate various mental states, the subtle thoughts, and inner dialogues that when nurtured and fed over time, makes us who we are. And while we offer some kind of resolution in a few tracks, the purpose of the album is to explore and highlight these different states of mind, rather than try to resolve them,” adds the band.
Derev‘s dynamic line-up now includes bassist Stan Komarovsky, providing the backbone of Derev‘s sound, and keyboardist Ran Zehavi from the progressive rock band Scalar, adding depth and complexity. Leading the live charge is frontman and vocalist Mike Symons to replace previous singer Adel Saflou who is featured on Troubled Mind.
Set for release on March 26, 2025, Derev‘s debut album Troubled Mind promises to be an introspective journey, offering listeners a relatable experience with mental health and its struggles. It is recommended for fans of Opeth, Dream Theater, and Porcupine Tree.
Album pre-order at https://www.derevmusic.com/store.
