EPK – Derev – Troubled Mind (2025)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Band: Derev
Title: Troubled Mind
Release Date: March 26, 2025
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CDBaby
“This album is very personal and introspective. It’s full of memorable songs and parts to listen to and digest, both from a musical and lyrical perspective. Every song tackles a different state of mind and takes the listener into their own thoughts of a mental state that they can relate to. As this one marks our second official release, we think the fans will be excited about hearing what Derev still has to offer. They’re in for a crazy ride full of energetic ups and heartbreaking downs.” – Derev
For fans of Opeth, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, Soen, Riverside
Derevmusic.com | Facebook.com/derevmusic | Instagram.com/derevmusic | X.com/derevmusic | Youtube
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!earshot – The National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 – #6 Derev
!earshot – The National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 – #6 Derev
!earshot – The National Loud Chart For the Week Ending: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 – #3 Derev
!earshot – The National Top 50 For Week Ending: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 – #44 – Derev
“Toronto prog quintet Derev will release their debut full-length album, Troubled Mind, on March 26. The yearning, epic tones of Cyclone is the second single to be taken from the upcoming album, and Derev will be touring throughout Ontario and Quebec over the coming months to support the new album.” – Prog Magazine – Great new prog you must hear… Tracks Of The Week – Cyclone – Feb 21, 2025
“Multinational quintet get introspective on second album. Technicality can sometimes overshadow emotion in bands with a progressive musical mindset. Derev are certainly accomplished but they never overplay when they don’t need to or get mired in the minutiae of the songs. Troubled Mind is all about the feels. Quite literally, in fact, as each song tackles a different state of mind, making it a sort of darker, prog version of Disney animation Inside Out. There’s an ebb and flow between tracks and a breadth of styles ranging from the melancholy resonance of Buried Voice to the sharper riff-driven Room 9 and the jazzy playfulness and wobbly prog synths of Paracusia. Derev also incorporate elements of drummer Michel Karakach and guitarist Armando Bablanian’s Middle Eastern roots, but these are worked deeply into the structures of the songs, emerging through melodies and subtle patterns rather than thrown on top. There is a metal influence at play, but it’s a measured one and while they reference Black Sabbath on occasion, Tides Of Time is closer to the psychedelic wash of Planet Caravan than the hulking riffola of Paranoid. An emotional journey and one that’s well worth an investment in effort. PT” – Prog Magazine
“The best part of the album (Troubled Mind) is the band’s ability to carry strong emotions into their music. Many of the songs are not complicated, but they are loaded with feelings. I’m not sure I have heard a Progressive album that is this unpretentious and this emotional at the same time. 8/10” Metal-Temple
“its eight tracks draws us into a music that combines intensity and peaceful atmospheres of old school prog. The melodies thus highlight many sound universes from one composition to another including beautiful vocal harmonies and important instrumental parts… Derev delivers retro-sounding music with plenty of late 70s and early 80s progressive influences… Troubled Mind, with its instantly relatable melodies, is a resounding success. 4/5” – Prog Critique
“every minute is a blessing to your progressive ears. Porcupine Tree and Opeth enthusiasts might appreciate this.” – Rock Portaal
“I definitely find myself looking forward to putting on my headphones again and letting myself fall and drift after enjoying the thickly produced record “Troubled Mind, to close my eyes, sit back and just enjoy. DEREV: Great band, great discovery. Playing tips: Room 9, Cyclone, Paracusia 8/10” – PowerMetal.de
“Excellent music and a beautiful, intelligent album.” – Plus PROG de Vous
“Troubled Mind is a great album as Derev redefine what rock music can and should be. ” – Background Magazine
“Solid debut from this progressive metal band from Canada. Not your typical “noisy” prog metal, some real soul and dynamics to it. Really love Adel Saflou’s vocals.” – Prog Radio
“For the prog-rock group Derev, this new work continues to carry on its shoulders the burden of the misfortune of living in times of war, which unites two childhood friends: Michel Karakach (battery) and Armando Bablanian (guitar), who after fleeing the war in the Middle East and taking refuge in Toronto (Canadá), meet again through music to reflect on pain, loss and, above all, persistence…. This album represents a profound act of emotional liberation both for its creators and for those who immerse themselves in listening to it.” – Dargedik
“Derev’s sound combines the energy and intensity of metal music with the atmospheric sound of old-school progressive rock, while incorporating elements of their Arabic and Armenian heritage.” – The Prog Space
“Room 9 is a song that manages to present a depth and feelings that fill the song very well. We have here a very progressive performance, which incorporates heavy and intense riffs, a good song to know the band!” – Metal Junk Box
“Derev offer a hard-hitting examination of war and honour on their darkly exotic and relentlessly heavy single and video Turab” – Tinnitist
“With “Leap Of Faith” Derev presents itself as a mature band with strong songs and great musicians. All the more reason to eagerly look forward to the first full-fledged album.” – Progwereld
“The true strength of the album lies in the band’s ability to convey intense feelings through their songwriting in a way that goes far beyond complex metrics or rampant instrumental virtuosity. Throughout the album, it is evident that there is no band with the intention of sounding overly intricate in its structure, because instead, it chooses to invest in the creation of atmospheres, which are, moments and soundscapes that touch the listener through maturity, sensitivity and a remarkable care for details. 8/10″ – ProgLand
“Everything is compelling and melodic throughout, and the well controlled and melodic lead vocals emphasize this aspect of the bands sound, mood and atmosphere. A production to seek out by those who enjoy their progressive rock when it is subtle, atmospheric laden and melodic yet also with a little bit of an edge and a bite.” – Progressor
“The composition is clever, the performances talented, the lyrics meaningful and emotional” – The Progressive Subway
“Troubled Mind” is an intense album, taking its listeners on a captivating, emotional ride. The music flows flawlessly from the first to the last second, and while they play with different, stylistic elements in between, everything goes perfectly together. Highly recommended to dive into Derev’s musical maze, there’s a lot to discover.” – Mostly Metal
“It seems like 2020 and 2021 have given artists the isolation and the time they need to make their best music, or finally release their first music. Derev‘s first released track “Futile” was a pleasant surprise: it’s melodic and creative, and it has a fantastic video with a perfectly chosen voice. That one track led me to an interview with the band, and I get to know both them and their planned EP release “Leap of Faith“…. This EP is without a doubt the best release I have heard in 2021 so far. I would give it a 9/10 and recommended it to any fan of (New) Opeth, Haken, Beardfish, Soen.” – Leb Metal (2021 – Leap of Faith)
“Leap Of Faith, an EP, featuring six songs, is their musical debut and Derev combines traditional metal with melodic progressive rock and Eastern musical influences…. Derev really surprised me with this great EP, a must listen for fans of Riverside, Opeth and Haken; highly recommended indeed!!” – Background Magazine (2021 – Leap of Faith)
“Derev’s sound combines the energy and intensity of metal music with the atmospheric sound of old-school progressive rock, while incorporating elements of their Arabic and Armenian heritage.” – The Prog Space“Room 9 is a song that manages to present a depth and feelings that fill the song very well. We have here a very progressive performance, which incorporates heavy and intense riffs, a good song to know the band!” – Metal Junk Box
“Derev offer a hard-hitting examination of war and honour on their darkly exotic and relentlessly heavy single and video Turab” – Tinnitist
“With “Leap Of Faith” Derev presents itself as a mature band with strong songs and great musicians. All the more reason to eagerly look forward to the first full-fledged album.” – Progwereld
“It seems like 2020 and 2021 have given artists the isolation and the time they need to make their best music, or finally release their first music. Derev‘s first released track “Futile” was a pleasant surprise: it’s melodic and creative, and it has a fantastic video with a perfectly chosen voice. That one track led me to an interview with the band, and I get to know both them and their planned EP release “Leap of Faith“…. This EP is without a doubt the best release I have heard in 2021 so far. I would give it a 9/10 and recommended it to any fan of (New) Opeth, Haken, Beardfish, Soen.” – Leb Metal (2021 – Leap of Faith)
“Leap Of Faith, an EP, featuring six songs, is their musical debut and Derev combines traditional metal with melodic progressive rock and Eastern musical influences…. Derev really surprised me with this great EP, a must listen for fans of Riverside, Opeth and Haken; highly recommended indeed!!” – Background Magazine
[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Band: Derev
Title: Troubled Mind
Release Date: March 26, 2025
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CDBaby
Track Listing:
1. Buried Voice (7:23)
2. Cyclone (5:39)
3. Crawl Space (1:16)
4. Room 9 (6:15)
5. Paracusia (4:35)
6. Tides of Time (5:59)
7. Darker Self (5:44)
8. Trace Within (5:01)
Album Credits:
All songs performed by: Derev
All songs written by: Armando Bablanian, Michel Karakach
Mixed and Mastered by: James Zhan
Member of SOCAN
Album Band Line Up:
Adel Saflou – Vocals
Armando Bablanian – Guitar
Michel Karakach – Drums
Stan Komarovsky – Bass
Ran Zehavi – Keys
Live Band Line Up:
Mike Symons – Vocals
Armando Bablanian – Guitar
Michel Karakach – Drums
Stan Komarovsky – Bass
Ran Zehavi – Keys
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About The Album Artwork:
The album artwork depicts a complex maze symbolizing our endless stream of thoughts.
The maze is mirrored from top to bottom and there are two characters standing representing the duality of the mind; the conscious and subconscious.
The blank eye in the middle hints that this maze is within the mind and plays a role in grabbing the attention.
The beauty of the artwork for us is that despite the chaotic details if you take a step back and look at the outline as a whole, it looks like a tree, which is connected to the name of the band.
Note: This document will be used as a framework to be shared with publicists, press, and media personnel, and as a reference in interviews, social media videos..etc
About The Album Troubled Mind:
Derev’s second release “Troubled Mind” takes a deep dive into the intricacies of the human psyche, addressing a spectrum of mental health issues with each track, ranging from temporary mental instability to more severe conditions such as schizophrenia, cognitive immobility (a fixation on the past), and depression stemming from loss.
Derev elaborates: “While our debut album tackled broad themes like war, technology, and injustice in the world, Troubled Mind shifts focus to the personal realm. We wanted to explore and articulate various mental states, the subtle thoughts, and inner dialogues that when nurtured and fed over time, makes us who we are. And while we offer some kind of resolution in a few tracks, the purpose of the album is to explore and highlight these different states of mind, rather than try to resolve them.”
“Troubled Mind” promises to be an introspective journey, offering listeners a relatable experience with mental health and its struggles.
Musically, the album builds on the foundation laid in Derev’s first release, offering a diverse range of sounds from mellow, calm tracks to adrenaline-pumping heavy headbangers, while maintaining their distinctive progressive rock sound, enriched with Middle Eastern influences.
In this album, Derev elevates their sound by incorporating more prominent keyboard parts, experimenting with various time signatures, and introducing new instruments such as the Cajon, Darbuka, and electronic elements. This evolution showcases the band’s innovative spirit and commitment to pushing musical boundaries.
Track By Track:
1- Buried Voice:
The album opens with “Come forth troubled brother, step outside your cell” inviting listeners to embark on this journey of self-discovery. It sheds light on our darkest faults and secrets we try to ignore, run away from, and conceal, highlighting the inevitable growth of our guilt when these truths are buried.
The chorus emphasizes the persistent voice of our subconscious, urging us to confront our fears and acknowledge our mistakes.
While the middle section showcases the struggle of the protagonist with his/her own thoughts, the song concludes with “You hold the key in your hands” reminding us that the path to true freedom and happiness lies within our own grasp.
Musically, the album opens with a powerful 7-minute track that immediately captivates listeners with its progressive rock brilliance, offering a preview of what’s to come.
Initially, the song follows a traditional verse-chorus structure, but it soon transforms into an epic prog rock piece featuring a time signature change and a haunting guitar solo. An intense section follows, reflecting the protagonist’s struggle.
The track concludes with a mellow uplifting segment that offers a resolution and instills hope for a brighter future.
2- Tides of Time:
This track showcases the distress of “cognitive immobility”, a mental trap that leads to an effort to recreate past incidents that one lived in the past. By doing so, the person attempts to retrieve what was left behind, leaving them stuck in a place that no longer exists in reality.
Drummer Michel Karakach shares: “Leaving my hometown in Syria at the age of 25, after having built so many wonderful friendships, memories, and experiences was a struggle I never knew I’d have to deal with until I did. Finding myself reminiscing over and over about my past life inspired me to write about it as a form of therapy. I never knew this was an actual mental diagnosis until I did some research on it.”
The song begins with a bass riff that lays the foundation of its structure, paving the way for an acoustic guitar and Cajon to come in and fill in the gaps. While this song may sound simple and straightforward for first-time listeners, the truth is far from it.
This song is filled with hidden gems and rhythmic intricacies that can only be caught by well-trained ears. It features a 7/8 time signature layered over a pulsing 4/4 backbeat, creating a mesmerizing polyrhythmic loop throughout the song.
As the song progresses from a mellow, slow vibe to an intense, epic crescendo, a standout guitar solo seamlessly ties all the elements together. It concludes with the same bass riff that opened the track, forming an endless loop that mirrors the song’s central theme.
3- Cyclone:
Building on the narrative, this song revolves around the negative thoughts that plague our minds, constantly reminding us of our perceived unworthiness and shortcomings. This mental state, known as “Imposter Syndrome” makes us doubt our skills and successes, leaving us feeling unworthy, ashamed, and fearful of being exposed.
The song portrays these thoughts as an antagonist chasing and tormenting the protagonist, emphasizing their weaknesses and mistakes. The song’s title reflects this artistic vision, symbolizing a relentless cyclone that only finds peace in chaos.
The song fades in with a guitar riff slowly building the tension as the bass and drums join in, creating a slow yet tension-filled atmosphere. This underlying unrest keeps the listener on edge until it is overpowered by a heartwarming guitar solo that brings a sense of reassurance, calmness, and peace. The solo concludes with a cliffhanger riff that repeats as the song fades out.
The vocal melodies are well-crafted and prominent throughout the song, leaving the listener repeating the last lines of the song “You won’t let go” over and over long after the music stops.
5- Room 9:
Reaching the midway mark of the album, this track marks the album’s peak of intensity, both musically and lyrically. Its concept revolves around Schizophrenia, one of the most severe mental illnesses. The intention behind writing this song was to illustrate the struggles of schizophrenic individuals dealing with symptoms of psychosis, hallucinations, and disorganized thoughts and actions.
The song portrays a schizophrenic patient confined in an old asylum, trapped in a perpetual state of psychosis, haunted by hallucinations and delusions. As the patient imagines a way out, he embarks on a journey of lost memories, only to find himself back in the same room, trapped forever.
Titled “Room 9,” the song’s name refers to the patient’s room number and carries significance in Japanese culture, where the word for “nine” (“ku”) sounds like the word for pain or suffering.
Musically, this is the heaviest track on the album, maintaining relentless intensity from start to finish. The 7/8 time signature adds to the sense of urgency, mirroring the protagonist’s constant state of rush.
The song culminates in a powerful vocal shout, capturing the despair of being trapped in the room, followed by a headbanging guitar riff that brings the track to a dramatic close.
7- A Trace Within:
This song offers a melancholic portrayal of “Complicated Grief,” a case of prolonged depression lasting years after the loss of a loved one. It paints a scene of a grieving protagonist standing before their loved one’s grave, reminiscing about their past together and sensing their presence, yearning for a sign to affirm that feeling.
Titled “A Trace Within,” the song refers to the enduring bond that remains within the protagonist, a trace that continuously begs to be pursued.
On the musical side, this song offers a unique taste of Derev’s evolving sound. Unlike the more musically intricate tracks, this piece is relatively simple, yet reveals a different side of the band.
It begins with basic keyboard chords, soon joined by vocals and guitars to complete the soundscape. Notably, this song marks the band’s first attempt at using electronic beats, diverging from their traditional acoustic roots.
The song maintains a mellow heartrending feel that translates the protagonist’s emotions through a mesmerizing guitar solo, as the song ends with the instruments out of the picture, leaving the singer with the words “To ease the pain, I call your name, come back again”.
8- Darker Self:
Closing the album on a high note, this song talks about embracing our true selves. Specifically the instinctual, animalistic side we often suppress in an attempt to please others. Ignoring the value that this side of us brings in dire times, renders us weak, fragile, and miserable.
Our darker self is portrayed as a beast in hibernation, the lyrics start by enticing this animal to “Rise up and shake the dust off..”. As the song progresses, we begin to understand the true value of these traits that were deemed disgraceful and learn to embrace them, rather than bury them.
This track is the perfect finale for the album, delivering a powerful message: no matter how flawed we may be, the first step towards healing is accepting every part of ourselves — our heritage, experiences, mistakes, and illnesses. Only by removing the mask we wear, can we rise above and become a better version of ourselves.
Musically, this song offers a bit of everything. The Darbuka intro is a refreshing start that is soon followed by a headbanging guitar riff. Alternating between this riff and the verses, the song creates a rich blend of Middle Eastern and heavy vibes, delivering exactly what Derev is about.
As the song comes to an end, we embark on yet another killer guitar solo followed by a haunting vocal line that leaves us begging for more.
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Fun Facts – Story Angles:
1. Derev” is an Armenian word for leaf. We picked it as a symbol of our Armenian heritage and our connection to nature, symbolizing new life and hope.
2. All instruments for the album were recorded in our home studio in Toronto, except for vocals which were recorded by Adel Saflou in his own home studio in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Then the tracks were sent to be mixed by James Zhan.
3. Derev has played many shows in widely varied venues. But one of the weirdest ones was a show we played in a bowling alley in Windsor, NS on our first-ever tour. Surprisingly, it turned out to be quite a fun and memorable gig.
4. Although Derev is under a Canadian band banner, almost every member of the band is from a different country of origin (Armando Armenia / Michel Syria / Stan Russia / Ran Israel / Mike Canada)
5. On Derev’s first tour, we were driving down a pitch-black single-lane highway in the middle of the night out in New Brunswick. Suddenly a moose came out of nowhere and crossed the road right in front of us and Mike had to react quickly to not crash the band van right into him! Shortly after this exhilarating experience, we ran a flat tire and found ourselves on the side of the road with no cell phone signal, taking out all the drums and equipment to get to the spare tire and jack to change it ourselves. Once we started to change the tire, it began to rain! Needless to say this was the longest night of the tour, but none of us would change a thing, it was a quintessentially Canadian night!
L-R: Armando Bablanian (Guitar) | Stan Komarovsky (Bass) | Michel Karakach (Drums) | Mike Symons (Vocals) | Ran Zehavi (Keys)
Photo Credit – Jon Blacker
“Divided by war, United by music”
Derev is a progressive rock band captivating global audiences with its innovative blend of progressive rock and traditional Middle Eastern music.
After fleeing the war in the Middle East and finding refuge in Toronto, Canada, founding member, and Drummer Michel Karakach reunited with his best friend, guitarist Armando Bablanian, to turn what was once a mere childhood dream into a powerful reality.
Derev’s debut release “Leap of Faith” melded the raw energy of hard rock with the rich textures of traditional Middle Eastern music they grew up with, offering a fresh perspective on topics often overlooked in modern music. This distinctive sound quickly caught the attention of both local and international audiences, propelling Derev into a series of successful shows across Canada.
The band’s dynamic lineup now includes bassist Stan Komarovsky, providing the backbone of Derev’s sound, and keyboardist Ran Zehavi from the progressive rock band Scalar, adding depth and complexity. Leading the live charge is frontman and vocalist Mike Symons to replace previous singer Adel Saflou who is featured on their forthcoming studio offering “Troubled Mind”. Symons’ compelling presence and vocal prowess complete the live ensemble.
As Derev gears up to release their anticipated second album “Troubled Mind” on March 26th, 2025, they continue to carve out a unique niche in the music world. Their innovative sound promises to captivate new listeners and industry veterans alike. Keep an eye on Derev as they redefine what rock music can be.
Discography:
2025 – Troubled Mind – LP
2021 – Leap of Faith – EP
Shared Stage:
Swallow the Sun, Wilderun, Pyramid Theorem, Falset, Raphael Weinroth Browne, Lutharo, Half-past four, DevilWitch, Maitreya, Byrdy, Ocean of Stars, Fall of Earth, Astral Bell, Zebra and the Bandit, The Lookout Service, Good Hunter, The Animal Warface Act, Kohlit, Beyond Deviation, Dawn Valley, Savio, Working Girl, 7 Day Riot, The Ristons, Spectra, Prospects, The Capsized, Absent Theory, Timequarium, Exorcist, Hundred Knives, Deafened, Breaking Still, The Bank Heist
Tours and Festivals:
2025 – Wacken Battle – Toronto, ON
2024 – Out of This Mind Eastern Canada Tour – (ON, QC, NB, NS)
2023 – INIC (Indie Night In Canada) – Toronto, ON
[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
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