#dan malsch

Watcher in the Sky by Ghost from the album IMPERA

Cycles wasn’t ahead of its time, but it was released a few years too early to be fully appreciated as a prog-tinged American power metal album: Nevermore had actually also released their self-titled debut in 1995, but whereas that group had the pedigree of two ex-Sanctuary members including Warrel Dane, as well as a future guitar hero in Jeff Loomis, and a label with underground cred, Wicked Maraya had to slug it out in a locale that was long past its prime as a metallic force (New York), and on a tiny label that was barely hanging on (Mausoleum).   As a result, songs like “Alone” were left undiscovered even though they would’ve made a solid double-header with the likes of “What Tomorrow Knows” and “Garden of Grey”.  Lou Falco didn’t have Dane’s pathos, but his range was substantial and imposing, while Dan Malsch was an agile guitarist.  And unlike Nevermore, Wicked Maraya’s rhythm section delivered the heaviness and intensity without veering into claustrophobia.  If “Alone” and Cycles were released in 2000, and on a decent label, both would’ve had a decent shot at garnering the band a European following, if nothing else.