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Toronto’s prog maestros Derev aren’t just dropping riffs—they’re igniting a sonic storm. Fresh off their Troubled Mind album release (March 26th, 2025), the band’s latest live video for “Cyclone” captures lightning in a bottle. Filmed at Toronto’s Supermarket during their hometown gig, the clip’s raw energy? Chef’s kiss. “That night, the stars aligned—crowd, sound, sweat. Pure magic,” grins drummer Michel Karakach, whose journey from war-torn roots to Canadian refuge reads like a rock ‘n’ roll odyssey.
And oh, what a ride. Troubled Mind isn’t just an album—it’s a headfirst dive into the human psyche’s shadowy corners. Schizophrenia, grief, cognitive limbo… Heavy? Sure. But Derev wraps it in prog grandeur laced with Middle Eastern spice. Think Opeth meets a souk, with Cajon beats and synths threading through 8/4 time signatures. “It’s personal. Brutal. Beautiful,” says guitarist Armando Bablanian, Michel’s childhood pal turned riff-slinging partner.
Now, they’re storming Canada’s west—Sudbury to Calgary, with pitstops at dive bars and pubs. New frontman Mike Symons (replacing studio vocalist Adel Saflou) belts anthems like “Room 9” and “Tides of Time,” while Ran Zehavi’s keys swirl like a sandstorm. Crowds craving feeling over flash, take note: this isn’t your dad’s prog. It’s a cathartic scream in 7/8 time.
Troubled Mind is a gut-punch disguised as a concept album. Derev’s fusion of Armenian melodies, metallic heft, and lyrical vulnerability? Stunning. Grab the vinyl (or snag that snarky AI-black tee), then catch them live before they’re selling out stadiums. Trust me, you’ll wanna say “I was there” when the prog world starts buzzing.
DEREV - Troubled Mind - Western Canada Tour
May 4 - TBA (North Western Ontario)
May 6 - TBA (Manitoba)
May 8 - Regina, SK - Revival Music Room w/ Fame Fatale, 66 Aces
May 9 - Saskatoon, SK - Amigos Cantina w/ Out Of Frequency, 66 Aces
May 10 - Edmonton, AB - Rendezvous Pub w/ Darkened Skies, Silent Script, Misplaced Intentions
May 12 - Grand Forks, BC - 4th St. Studio w/ guests
May 13 - Kamloops, BC - The Blue Grotto w/ Augur, Gregarious
May 14 - Vancouver, BC - The Roxy Cabaret w/ guests
May 16 - Vernon, BC - Longhorn Pub w/ None The Wiser, Scared Soul Empire
May 17 - Cranbrook, BC - The York Public House w/ Phaeton
May 18 - Calgary, AB - Verns w/ Humans As Totems, The Future Relics, Rocky Mountain Maniacs, 13 Strikes
May 20 - Winnipeg, MB - Sidestage w/ Valley Narrow, Sunbreather
May 22 - Thunder Bay, ON - Black Pirates Pub w/ Cycle Of Disobedience, Along The Lines, The Fixer
May 23 - Sault Ste. Marie, ON - Soo Blaster w/ guests
May 24 - Timmins, ON - Victory Tavern w/ guests
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