Artist Spotlight: Polyphia
Article by Andrei Celestial
Artwork by Ezri Mitra
MUSIC HAS ALWAYS been known for three things: creativity, timelessness, and change. It is a canvas in which anyone can express themselves, a medium of connection and freedom. Music’s flexibility creates a snowball effect, as past iterations of music have allowed others to innovate for newer, fresher tastes. Because of this, genres continue to evolve, with some becoming more integrated into different subcultures. I see this align with my own experiences, as witnessing the growth of different artists in these genres has made me reflect upon my journey as a guitarist. Polyphia is a fantastic example of this, as they capitalized on this opportunity whilst inspiring others through their unique and progressive take on music. As such, redefining these boundaries has always been what the band hopes to impart onto its listeners.
Formed in 2010, Polyphia started their musical journey by integrating elements from progressive metal and metalcore into instrumental tracks. Composed of bassist Clay Gober and virtuoso guitarists Tim Henson and Scott LePage, the group gained traction after their debut album Inspire. Their tracks featured an excellent mix of both melodic and technical lines that allowed listeners to feel both the emotion and skill level that was put into its production. Moreover, a heavenly guitar tone, voice-like phrasing, and frequent use of major chord progressions led some of their earlier albums to exhibit an aura of bliss and euphoria. Such is further exemplified in their art, as early album covers highlighted the use of white, pastel, and daytime colors. Subsequently, Polyphia balances this by inducing a sense of class and elegance in more subtle parts of their branding. Their inclination in using calligraphic fonts, curves, and choice of song titles (Icronic, Inspire, Transcend, etc.) provide apt contrast and nuance.
It was through these aspects that I was able to develop a stronger sense of direction in my guitar journey. Subsequently, Renaissance — my all-time favorite Polyphia album — spoke to me on an emotional level for it allowed me to reminisce about the happy moments I’ve experienced in my life. Conversely, it provided comfort and reassurance in times of sorrow — I became more hopeful and resilient as a result of this.
The group saw a huge increase in their following in 2018 as they started to experiment with electronic, funk, and trap music — genres that typically didn’t go with heavy-hitting, distorted guitars. Despite the lack of complementarity, they managed to make it work. New Levels, New Devils (NLND) proved to be the album that pivoted them towards their current position in the metal community. Their most popular song — GOAT — went viral in the same year, as the riffage and style of the instrumental was something that was quite unorthodox. Daniel Horvat — an Australian audio engineer and musical production expert — attests to this, praising the band for taking a risk that ultimately paid off. This, he claims, “is powerful enough to shape an entirely unique sound and aesthetic.”
Interestingly, 2018 was also the year that I started playing. I completely resonated with Horvat’s thoughts as the band’s sound provided a fresh perspective from all the classic rock and metal I was listening to. Polyphia not only provided me with a new avenue to express my interest in playing the instrument, but they also explored a genre I was completely unfamiliar with — something that eventually grew into a much deeper level of appreciation. This ties back to NLND, as this was a significant point where they were able to effectively integrate newer styles of music with more traditional metal instrumentals. As such, it was through this methodology that the band was able to successfully captivate younger and older audiences alike.
This traction further propelled them to experiment with more sounds as people became more and more interested in what the band had to offer. Both Henson and LePage were thrust into the spotlight, for they were using this new, complex way of guitar playing to captivate their audience. Although the use of harmonics, slides, and chromatics are commonplace in the genre, it was their exceptional phrasing, transition, and tonal mixtures that separated them from the rest. They had a knack for making chaotic notes and scale runs sound unified and catered to the overall vibe of the song. It was through this period that Polyphia added a new level of depth, moroseness, and mystery that not only intrigued the progressive metal community but helped them diversify their catalog and reach. As their music slowly became more mainstream, more guitarists used the band as inspiration to generate their own content on different social media platforms. Danny Yau is an excellent example of this, centering his YouTube content around playing Polyphia-sounding riffs, solos, and original songs. This isn’t constrained to the guitar as Danny also replicates their songs on ukulele, harmonica, piano, and even his own voice. This further underscores the band’s role in changing the overall landscape of contemporary metal.
In 2022, the band released Remember That You Will Die — their latest album that integrated elements from both old and modern Polyphia styles. The highlight track — Ego Death — features guitar legend Steve Vai. This perfectly encapsulates the band’s progressive nature and passes down the metal torch from one generation to the next. Other tracks such as Chimera, The Audacity, and Reverie have incredibly varied styles that combine more modern and electronic elements of popular music to appeal to both metal and contemporary enjoyers alike. The track ABC switches up their usual style by featuring a vocalist — the second track to do so throughout the band’s entire tenure. This is a significant stepping stone towards adding more variability and making their music radio-friendly, as some still consider their style as too niche or complex to appreciate.
Overall, Polyphia’s emergence has reminded me of the impact music can have on communities and individuals alike. Their journey has inspired me to take more risks, push the boundaries of my creativity, and challenge myself to become better in the different things I am passionate about.
Who knows? Maybe listening to one of their songs could inspire you to be something more, too. I know it too well — it’s been happening to me since I started my journey with them.