"Sylvan's fifth album 'Monumentata' presents a very different lyrical prospect indeed. Whilst remaining firmly positioned in the Progressive Rock domain, this album comprises Sylvan's most personal, vulnerable and individually introspective, by far. There are no images of blood-suckers, pirates or reluctant brides here. These songs are raw, personal accounts about Nad Sylvan's own life, plain and simple. In Sylvan's own words, he has by now cultivated such a solid fan base that he feels that 'they deserve to know who I truly am'. The result is one of the most lyrically honest albums I have heard. Very few artists can pull off this type of personal introspection without becoming cheesy, but this is Nad Sylvan, and his idiosyncratic and wonderfully individual nature lend themselves perfectly to this type of expression. He is who he is, and you are about to find out why.

Sylvan is a very versatile multi-instrumentalist. Some fans who may have seen him only as Hackett's lead vocalist might be surprised at just how true this statement is. While there is an impressive list of performers on 'Monumentata', Sylvan himself handles many of the keyboard, guitar and other instrumental parts. Other contributors include powerhouse drummers Marco Minnemann, Mirko DeMaio, and Felix Lehrmann, guitarists Randy McStine, David Kollar and Neil Whitford, and quite possibly the three finest bassists in the world in Jonas Reingold, Nick Beggs and Tony Levin. Other impressive guests include Lalle Larsson on synthesizers, Joe Deninzon on violin and Sheona Urquhart and Jade Ell on backing vocals. This is an imposing line-up, but Sylvan remains firmly in control and delivers a final production that emphatically expresses his own clear vision." PN-TPR



Essential Track: "Great sorrow abounds in the title track, which is a highly impassioned exploration of Sylvan's own feelings upon losing his father against the backdrop of a difficult parental relationship. There is nothing technical about this track, but if raw emotion resonates with you, 'Monumentata' could bring you to tears. Sylvan is not only a unique vocalist - he is obviously a wordsmith of note, and it is quite remarkable that he manages to create this type of word-play and soliloquy in a language that might not even be his first. Expect to grieve - monumentally - with Sylvan on this one, not only for the parent he never really knew, but also for the plight of other bereft children forgotten in the wake of broken parental relationships. Despite the heartbreaking themes, the track somehow does not become maudlin and it never loses its personal authenticity. A hard listen for some more sensitive fans, but a very rewarding one nonetheless." PN-TPR
 

Read the full reviews on The Prog Report , and The Prog Mind.

Listen and watch the videos on his YouTube Channel.

Buy the Album from Inside Out Music / Century Media or wherever great Prog music is sold.
 

---

There are no NewEARS show announcements at this time


Click on the following link for a complete list of bands that have played for the NewEARS Art Rock Series
 

---

07/15/25	Styx - performing The Grand Illusion and special guests Kevin Cronin and Don Felder	Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater - Bridgeport, CT
07/16/25	Floydian Trip - New England's Premier Pink Floyd Experience	Darius Miller Bandshell - New Britain, CT
07/18/25	Styx - performing The Grand Illusion and special guests Kevin Cronin and Don Felder	BankNH Pavilion - Gilford, NH
07/19/25	Styx - performing The Grand Illusion and special guests Kevin Cronin and Don Felder	Xfinity Center - Mansfield< MA
07/19/25	Floydian Trip - New England's Premier Pink Floyd Experience	Chelmsford Center for the Arts - Chelmsford, MA
07/20/25	Rick Wakeman - Strictly Wakeman	Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT
07/25/25	Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew - Remain In Light	The Wilbur - Boston, MA
07/25/25	Floydian Trip - New England's Premier Pink Floyd Experience	The Palace Danbury - Danbury, CT
07/26/25	Toto - with Christopher Cross and Men At Work	Leader Bank Pavilion - Boston, MA
07/26/25	The Moody Blues' John Lodge - Singer in a Rock and Roll Band	Lynn Auditorium - Lynn, MA
07/26/25	Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew - Remain In Light	Ridgefield Playhouse - Ridgefield, CT
07/26/25	The Machine - Performs Pink Floyd	Foxwoods Casino - Mashantucket, CT
07/26/25	Echoes of Floyd - New England's premier Floyd tribute	Blue Ocean Music Hall - Salisbury, MA
07/27/25	The Moody Blues' John Lodge - Singer in a Rock and Roll Band	Infinity Music Hall - Hartford, CT
07/28/25	Toto - with Christopher Cross and Men At Work	BankNH Pavilion - Gilford, NH
07/29/25	The Moody Blues' John Lodge - Singer in a Rock and Roll Band	The Flying Monkey - Plymouth, NH
07/29/25	Rick Wakeman - Strictly Wakeman	Tupello Music Hall - Derry, NH
07/29/25	Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew - Remain In Light	The Strand - Providence, RI
07/30/25	The Moody Blues' John Lodge - Singer in a Rock and Roll Band	The JPT Film & Event Center - Newport, RI
07/30/25	Toto - with Christopher Cross and Men At Work	Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater - Bridgeport, CT
08/10/25	The Machine - performs Pink Floyd	City Winery - Boston, MA
08/11/25	TU-NER - Markus Reuter - Pat Mastelotto - Trey Gunn	City Winery - Boston, MA
08/20/25	Brit Floyd - 50 Years of Wish You Were Here - World Tour	Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater - Bridgeport, CT

Styx and Kevin Cronin, the iconic voice and writer behind REO Speedwagon's greatest hits, have one of the strongest brotherly bonds spanning 25 years, especially since they've crossed paths on the North American concert trail along with the occasional joint festival concert. Fittingly, this summer they'll join forces for the sixth time for their "Brotherhood of Rock" tour, along with special guest Don Felder (a former lead guitarist for the Eagles), that will kick off May 28, 2025 in Greenville, SC at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

It wouldn't be summer without a live celebration of some of the greatest Rock anthems of all time, including "Renegade," "Keep On Loving You," "Come Sail Away," "Can't Fight This Feeling," and "Hotel California."

Styx and Kevin Cronin (as part of REO Speedwagon) first toured together in 2000 and in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, they came together to form the Rock to the Rescue 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which still collects donations for local charities at every stop on Styx's on-going tour.

---

Click here for Season 4-11 and the latest podcast from Delicious Agony - Progressive Rock Radio

Click here for a complete list of artists that have appeared on the NewEARS Prog Show Season 1-3

---