Shaylon – “The Initiation of a Timeless Voyager”

As I promised to Shaylon, here is my review of last year’s fantastic album release, The Initiation of a Timeless Voyager. I plan to review their new album, when it is released in the future. However, I, and maybe you, missed this wonderful album, released in 2022. Shaylon is a sensational San Francisco-based band. (So happy these guys are just a couple of states away).

Shaylon, whose symphonic metal/progressive music sounds very similar to one of my favorite bands, right now, Visions of Atlantis; has created a monumental album with The Initiation of a Timeless Voyager. Shaylon is fronted by female vocalist, Susie Uher Jiménez, with no male counterpart, like VoA. The name Shaylon, comes from ancient Gaelic, and means “admirable”. The band formed in July 2014, with the initial intent to blend the power of rock with the symphonic spirit of classical music, opera and the great melodies of pop. Mission Accomplished!

The band consists of Susie Uher Jiménez, on vocals. She has an extensive background in music as well as masters’ level university education and training in the field of music and vocal performance. She is a music educator, director, and voice teacher with over 20 years of teaching and performing experience in the San Francisco Bay area.

Charly Urso, the band’s founder, plays guitars, sings, and plays wonderful keyboards. He was born in Milan (Italy), and grew up listening to the melodies of Greek composer Vangelis, who had a huge influence on his musical background. Oh yes, indeed! After winning a scholarship, he graduated in Composition of Modern Music at CET (Centro Europeo di Toscolano) a very unique Italian school for composers, authors, arrangers and interpreters; directed by legendary author, Mogol.

Alex Sandor Tamas, plays bass. Alex is from Hungary and possesses years of experience performing and playing bass.

Kurt Becker, is the band’s drummer. He was born locally, in Oakland, California. Kurt grew up in a musical family. He started playing drums at the age of 9; just trying to keep up with his big brother. Kurt’s been playing in bands for the better part of 25 years.

The Initiation of a Timeless Voyager, is the debut album for Shaylon. A what a grand start they have made here. This album sounds like most other band’s fifth or sixth album. Most likely because of both the talent and years of experience, the members have attained.

Every song on this album is worthy of your time. They all bring unbridled compassion, inspiration and emotion to a crescendo peak performance, of metal symphonic sound. The guitar work, including bass, throughout the album is spot on, and comparable to many of the bands they choose as their favorites. The drumming is essential, and provides a potent beat. But it is Susie’s vocals, which lead the band through each story, and lift up the soundscape. She has a very powerful and direct classical sound to her soprano-like voice. It is skilled and well-trained, while at the same, it blends soft emotion within delicate lyrics.

All that said. My favorite songs on the album were: The opening title song, with its beautiful keyboards, some of the best on the album.

“Revelation’s Time”, is an enormously epic song with equally epic lyrics to match the subject matter.

“I Am”, opens with a harp, and Susie’s vocals, which, on this song, remind me of Sabine Edelsbacher, of Edenbridge. Another good reason to appreciate this track.

“Forgotten Realms of Wonder”, opens like a Xandria or Visions of Atlantis song, full of hard charging guitar and bass, supported well with keyboards and drums. Susie’s voice is amazing and the lyrics to this wonderfully titled song are excellent.

“The House in the Sky”, has some of the best lyrics on the album. It truly is the best song on the album. At over 9 minutes is it gigantic! So powerful and inspirational. The Middle – eastern themes and melodies are absolutely appreciated throughout. I know this may be pulling away from the genre, but I even hear some themes, from one of the seminal albums of 1980’s progressive rock, The Sentinel, from Pallas. Listen carefully. I know you will disagree…at first. The instrumentation is absolutely epic! I also hear, Manuela Kraller era Xandria, and vocals from vocalists the likes of Tarja. Absolutely wonderful! Their “Hava Nagila” like melody absolutely takes this one to the top of the list as far as instrumentals. Susie’s closing vocals will also take you Heaven bound!

“In My Silent Sleep”, also has some wonderful keyboards at the opening. The instrumentation and symphonic, choir-like orchestration is stupendous. A “Two Worlds” like epic , similar to what Xandria just released. Susie’s vocals are wonderful, but this song rises on the keys and the spectacular guitar chords and the sounds created.

“What If”, actually opens with a duet between Susie and Charly. It is an interesting change and infuses a different sound to the album. Wonderful lyrics and beautiful keys, guitars and drums.

“Astro Girl”, is a fun, break from the epics. But it has its own high points. Susie’s vocals are as excellent and fun as ever.

“Mist”, the closer, is another of the best songs on the album. It opens with beautiful harp. Then, Susie sings some of her softest and most attractive vocals. This is the template they should follow. Her vocals vary throughout the song, allowing the listener to be challenged and at the same time enraptured.

I know this album came out last year, but if you, like me, missed it, please pick it up and give it a chance. I am happy I did, and I look forward to their next album with anticipation. I love the title of the album, and the thought that went into created all the other titles of the songs. Unique, inspirational and full of wonder.

Just take a look at some of the bands I’ve compared Shaylon to, above. Yes, heavy comparisons. But re-read the amount of study, time, effort, and the years of experience, these musicians have put into their creations, and remember this is a debut album!

Magnificent is not big enough a word. How about Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? Anyone remember that? Are you still with me? Well, get this and hear just that…in musical form!

Now, we just have to get this show on the road. Buy the record and help this band tour. I want to see and hear them live!