Hyper Squirrel Productions – “Dreamwake” | Progressive Rock Central.com

Hyper Squirrel Productions – Dreamwake

Wow! When I first started listening to Dreamwake, I was absolutely impressed with the music. Then, I started to read about the founder and manager of Hyper Squirrel Productions. Not only is Ivan Antonio, and accomplished music creator, writer, guitar player, lyricist, and songwriter; he is also a marketing and project management specialist. This graduate of Western University in London, Ontario, Canada, is using all of his talents to build and promote a profession, in his first love, music.

As a college professor I am always impressed by students that both enjoyed and have gained from their college experience. What takes some, above that level, into greatness, is their ability to fashion a professional career that enables them to achieve their inner passion and love of life. Ivan Antonio is an excellent example of that nature. If his former college professors failed to commend him or act as mentors, I am here to congratulate him on his valiant effort.

Ivan is using his talents to elevate the power, scope and appeal of Canadian music around the world. And he may deny it, but I can see this venture building into something similar to what Arjen Lucassen is doing in the Netherlands. Gathering Canadian artists together to work on concepts and music that will build over the years, to provide access to the talent that Canada holds.

As for the name of his organization, Hyper-Squirrel Productions: “The name was imagined around 2014 when I was writing a business proposal for a similar project. It is an ode to my lifestyle, and the approach to the work I do. The squirrel is full of energy, and although that energy can seem erratic at times, the squirrel is focused and has a goal in its sights. (Gathering food for the cold Canadian winter ahead). The squirrel never settles and is always on the move. I often compare myself to the squirrel from (the movie), Ice Age. Just give me a couple cups of coffee and I’ll be on to the next one”.

Yes, Ivan loves to learn and add to his knowledge “toolbox”, and human mastery. He is what all professors want to help encourage; someone who understands the concept of ‘lifetime learning’ and demonstrates it.

Well, enough about education. Now on to the music:

“Life of Reiley”, opens with cool orchestration, Mark Gross’ percussion; and baby-talk and giggles from the main character of the story, Reiley Recinos. Adam B. sings, “Blessings be upon you. Carefree of existence. Hello and Goodbye. See you today and in the next life. Memories made. Promises Fade. Under wings. You have flight”. Dean Greco leans in on some awesome heavy bass. The song is a very ‘Dream – Theater’ sounding song, only very original; as is the story. Kennan Jack Ray Carroll, provides vicious curling blood vocals, “Roots and bonds can never be broken. Promise me, promise me. Our blood runs. Up and down”. Andrew Van Der Voort, the album producer, captures Carroll’s voice trailing off to the very end. One of the best early moments of the album. Then, Adam B., finishes the vocals and song with “Continue laughing for its only just begun…” Off to an excellent start!

“DreamWake”, the album’s title song opens with excellent bass work from Andy Zowsk, and Carroll’s yelling and growling vocals. Percussion is furnished by Nicholsa Elie. Ivan Antonio plays lead guitars, as orchestration surrounds the soundscape. Kennan Jack Ray Carroll, lends those growling backing vocals as Anne Moniz, sings lead vocals, “Live In a dream. Take what you will. In all directions. You’re free. But find a course. Shut out the world around you. Let go of your senses…The whispers in your mind. Believe in you. Believe in more than what you see. And drift away. Onward…”. Ivan’s organizational mission statement, no doubt. This song provides something you do not often hear. Three vocalists. Anne Moniz sings lead most of the time, with Carroll growling in support, and Adam B., providing the male lead vocal. It is the sound of the three vocalists together, which conjures an Arjen Lucassen comparison, and makes this track special. The lyrics in this song are so inspiring. It was this song which drew me to the album. So dynamic and full of sounds and vocals to appreciate, and go back over, review and discern.

On “Trial and Error”, they open with soft electric lead guitar from Ivan Antonio, before John Culjak, injects a powerful guitar solo, that is wonderfully finished with Kennan Jack Ray Carroll’s growling vocals. Cody McGowan, provides inspired percussion, as Carroll sings, “Uncertain. Impatient. Anxiety building inside of me. Thoughts out of focus. Freezing my moment of clarity. My mind is released. And thoughts drift away. Wandering. Blurring the lines of reality”.

Melancholic orchestration opens, “Unexplainable but Existent”, with Mark Gross providing excellent percussion. Ian Hicks, performs lead vocals, “Feeding into the lies. Left alone to one side. Looking for a home”. Kennan Jack Ray Carroll provides growling backing vocals. Sarah Recinos, joins in on to provide even more diversity, with backing vocals, “The Silence leads to separation. Guidance is left to the wise. How do I choose this path? That carried me away. Certainly, we will see”. The electric guitar work from Ivan Antonio on this song is some of the best on the album.

“Castles in the Air”, opens with soft electric guitar from Ivan Antonio. Adam B., vocals, “Vowed to maintain. In this Dark World. You see the light? You see the light? The Castles in the Air”. Percussion is provided by album producer Andrew Van Der Voort. Kennan Jack Ray Carroll’s growling vocals can be heard snidely, in the background.

“Hexes and Crosses”, opens with percussion from Justin Shorey, with bass provided by Andrew Lauzon. Adam B. provides lead vocals, with Kennan Jack Ray Carroll backing, “Is there a different way? This path leads to sorrow. Failing intentions. It’s never enough to say. I’m sorry”. Could this be more than displaced love? Or could it be hexes and crosses?” Powerful guitar work again permeates the track. At times, an almost Atoma-like blast of sound.

“Crackle”, opens with percussion from Justin Shorey, and excellent lead electric guitar from Ivan Antonio. Andy Zowsk sings lead vocals, “I know you’ve closed the door, to your heart. Just let me in, I’m dying. To feel the life, your love brings to me. Lady, forgive me. For all I’ve ever done. Lady, forgive me. I know I’ve done you wrong. I’m not worthy of your love. My aching heart’s a long-lost cause. I spend my days in these shackles and yearn. Feel my love for you crackle and burn”.

“Apparency Transparency”, opens with marvelous guitar. Andy Zowsk plays a fantastic guitar solo. Percussion is well performed by Zamm Kenoby. Adam B., sings lead vocals, “Rejoice. All this pain is expiring. Slowly, giving you control over. A piece of me is taken. Adorned on your wall”.

“Time Stands Still”, is a warm instrumental featuring Mark Gross on percussion. Anne Moniz’s sound vocals are inspired.

“Static Motion”, opens with bass from Dean Greco, and percussion from Hugo Ribeiro. Adam B., sings vocals, “Day after day. Sedated. My eyes cannot see. Past these screens. That imprison me. Feeling, burying inside me. Anticipating, calling Me”. One of the best songs on the album.

“Paradise Lost”, opens with growling lead electric guitars from Ivan Antonio; and bass provided by Dean Greco. Percussion, is provided by Andrew Van Der Voort. Kyle Gellatly sings lead vocals, “Embrace the need to survive. Trust no one. Nothing they say. Desensitize your feelings. Instincts will tear them away. If you could only come into my mind. See the shapes of red. The angels of death. The voices that lead me away. The more I stare into my mind. The more that I remain. The face on the wall. The grinning at my own mistakes”. A powerful, lyrical song making a statement you will not forget, on this album. The heavy guitars are wonderful.

“Atomicity” opens with powerful percussion from Andrew Van Der Voort. Adam B., sings lead vocals, with Anne Moniz, providing backing vocals, “Lost in circles contained. Creating illusions. Lies spreading. Spreading farther. Reaching for our unsteady hands. Intricacies. Map out reality. So, I can breathe again. New life, instilled. It’s in our mutual Atomicity”. The orchestrated strings at the end are perfect.

Hyper Squirrel Productions – Dreamwake, was an excellent find. It is a magical and powerful progressive metal album of new Canadian talent, unheard before. I will continue to follow Ivan Antonio’s progress with this production company. He is already off to an excellent beginning with this album. The talent he will bring to this project will only grow and get more diverse and dynamic.

Please give Hyper Squirrel Productions’ Dreamwake, a try, and discover, like me, that you now have a new direction, to look in for excellent music in the future. If you take a look at the site, you will find work is already underway on the future. The album production on this album from Andrew Van Der Voort is state of the art. The sound quality immense.

Track List