SYNAPSE/ Synapse (CD) 2025 1st

Catalog number: Philip Royal Records PRR-004

The debut album from SYNAPSE, a Tokyo-based keyboard trio active in the underground progressive rock scene such as Keyboard Summit at Silver Elephant, is here!

The parent group is a Goblin tribute band, famous for the soundtrack of the horror movie Suspiria.

This work develops that eerie sound and elevates it to an even more mutant original.

The base is made by Kiyohara's Gedily or Geezer Butler, which is irresistible to those with a heavy bass fetish, with a foot keyboard added to the buriburi bass.

The melodic chords of keyboardist Kiyohara (wife) play an Italian progressive sound, and the tone that seems to have been used in Goblin adds to the horror feel.

Yamamoto, the drummer, plays the odd time signature without any hesitation.

The playfulness of these three maniacs, Max's work, is full of the ``secret pleasures of a progressive artist'', with a mix of furious, ferocious sounds with deep bass and odd time signatures, and quiet scenes that develop lyrically with the inclusion of harpsichord and flute.

Of course, this is a powerful instrumental album that is recommended not only for Goblin and Italian prog fans, but also for fans of Crimson and U.K.

1. Necromancy

2. The Fog

3. Pazuzu’s wings Pazuzu’s wings

4. The Melancholy of the Automata

5. Slasher house Slasher house

6. That cheerleader is a serial killer

7. Possession

8. The Mountains of Madness

9. Sleepwalking

Yuichi Kiyohara – ALEMBIC Bass, WOLDORF Synthesizer / HAMMOND Pedal Keyboard, Voice

Yoshiko Kiyohara – NORD WAVE Synthesizer, KURZWEIL Electric Piano, YAMAHA MOTIF, MURAMATSU Flute

Masaya Yamamoto – SJC Drums, YAMAHA Hardware, TAMA Pedal,

Custom Block Shell Snare 13×7, Bells, Frame drum, Percussions, Sound Effects

All tracks arranged by Synapse

Mixed and effected /Mastering and Drum Recording by Hiroshi Nomura

Drum Recording support by MasaruTakahashi,Taro Akutu

Recorded in Studio K, Studio M, August 2024—February 2025

Track 1.2.3.7.9 composed by Yuichi Kiyohara
Track 4.5.6.8 composed by Yuichi Kiyohara, Yoshiko Kiyohara

Track 5.6.8.9 concept design by Masaya Yamamoto

Voice guest on track 9 : Nell

All Illustrations by Masaya Yamamoto

CD Design by Moe Ikeda

Profile "A 3-piece instrumental band based in Tokyo, formed in 2014.

The concept is ``playing the soundtrack of a fictional B-grade horror''.

A hard rhythm section with many heavy drums and radically distorted bass is intertwined with glittering synths and gothic keyboards such as church organ and harpsichord.

He plays melodies with traditional elements in a dark and heavy sound.

They first started performing at live houses in Tokyo with an unusual style of arranging and paying tribute to Goblin from Italy using a keyboard trio.

In 2016, leader Kiyohara (bass) became paralyzed in his left hand due to intracerebral hemorrhage, and his playing ability deteriorated, making it difficult to cover the band, so they changed their direction to original.

They have participated in the "Keyboard Progressive Summit" which has already been held 13 times at the Silver Elephant in Kichijoji, Tokyo, three times, the most by anyone other than the host band MOORI.

They will also be participating in Progtokyo, a progressive rock event held every spring and fall at Silver Elephant, in the spring of 2023.

1st album "SYNAPSE" will be released in July 2025.

Synapse

Yuichi Kiyohara (leader) Bass, Pedal Keyboard

Yoshiko Kiyohara Synthesizer, electric piano, flute

Masaya Yamamoto Drums, Percussion

profile

A three-piece instrumental band based in Tokyo, formed in 2014.

The concept is to "play the soundtrack of a fictional B-grade horror movie."

The hard rhythm section, with its many heavy drums and extremely distorted bass, is intertwined with glittering synths and gothic keyboards such as church organ and harpsichord.

They play melodies with traditional elements with a dark and heavy sound.

They started out in Tokyo live houses with an unconventional style of arranging and paying tribute to Italian Goblin with a keyboard trio.
In 2016, leader Kiyohara (bass) suffered a cerebral hemorrhage that paralyzed his left hand, and his performance ability declined, making it difficult to cover songs, so they changed course to original music.

They have participated in the Keyboard Prog Rock Summit, which has already been held 13 times at Kichijoji Silver Elephant in Tokyo, three times, the most of any band other than the organizer band MOORI.

They also participated in Progtokyo, a prog rock event held every spring and fall at Silver Elephant, in the spring of 2023.

They released their first album, "SYNAPSE," in July 2025.

A while ago

Synapse Live Digest (7/13/2019)

[CD] [2025/07/08]