Temic – Ceiba

Metalcatto

It’s been almost a fact that traditional Prog—you know, without ultra-brutal vocals or infinite blastbeats—is kind of dead. The world has just turned into a more cynical and godless place. However, there are still acts that have ignored the calling of oblivion. Temic seems to be one of those. Ceiba is supposed to remind us why it’s still possible to be corny and complex at the same time. Let’s see.

It’s impossible to listen to Ceiba and not think that it’s a more Power Metal version of Dream Theater. Sure, the vocals have more intensity, and the music structure is way less indulgent, but the technicality and aesthetics are rather traditional. Even if some riffs are mean enough to appear on an old Symphony X album, don’t get so excited—it’s not that edgy. The key here is accessibility without sacrificing skill. The band knows how to impress without alienating, and that’s a rare balance to strike.

The songwriting is probably the best part of Ceiba. The album might be long and over the top, but the pace, arrangements, and depth are on point. The guitar solos are also pretty spectacular. They might lose relevance in the softer tracks, but they’re memorable enough to stick with you after the album ends. The album should drag more than it does, given its length and ambition, but it manages to keep things moving with enough variation to maintain interest. The transitions between heavier and lighter sections feel natural, and the whole thing has a flow that many Prog albums lack.

Now I should give you some information about the things that can make you throw your headphones against the wall. If you don’t like your extreme Metal less crazy and more sentimental—to the point of cheesiness—then Temic is going to be a difficult act for you. There’s more epicness than anything else here. It’s a bit too much at times. Then we have to say the album is maybe a few minutes too long. Something you can especially feel in the more ballad-like tracks near the end. The pacing slows down just when you’d expect a final burst of energy, and that can test your patience. It’s an album for guitar nerds and nostalgic people who miss the days when Prog wasn’t afraid to be earnest.

Having said all that, I’d still recommend Ceiba for those of you who want Prog that’s as complex and focused, but not as inaccessible. I certainly enjoyed it more than I expected. It’s so rare to find something like “As Long As We Last” these days—or well, that doesn’t absolutely suck. Endure my lack of cynicism for once, please.

Label: Season Of Mist
Release date: September 22nd, 2026
Website: https://temic.bandcamp.com/album/terror-management-theory
Country: Norway
Score: 3.5/5.0