PRESS:

Interviews

Metal Observer - podcast with Rick
VM Underground - podcast with Rick
Digital Steel - Interview with Drew
Guitar6.com - Interview with Drew
The Edge Magazine - Meyvn Feature    (PAGE 1     PAGE 2)
Long Haired Men.com - interview with Rick and Drew
Nucleus - "A Progressive Revolution"

Splintered Skies Reviews

Meyvn exhibit technical skill along with a real passion for musical quality on their second self released CD. Splintered Skies begins with a foundation in progressive prowess, and then reveals a refreshing metal edge that will keep you begging for more. Instant classics are “Disturbed” and “Power of Fear.” An impressive vocal range, blinding speed and precision on guitar and an amazing rhythm section make Meyvn a top-ranking contender destined to be heard worldwide.
Explicitly Intense Magazine #24/2006

...Right, Meyvn. They rock! Crazy, hi-tech, YouTube-ready guitar solos—dizzying friggin' solos—insanely catchy choruses, and enough good ideas and fresh takes on progressive metal to fill three albums... These kids have pep. Such energy and such squeaky clean reverence for and adherence to all things metal gives me hope for the future. And they write actual honest-to-god songs. And they have a singer who can really sing! These elements are hardly a given in the pyrotech-metal underworld. Seriously good stuff.
Decibel Magazine Feb. 2007

From the very first riff of album opener ‘Answer Me’ the tone is set for a lesson in guitar virtuosity. Progressive metal for me is often a non-starter due to a lack of overall power and an insistence to be more mathematical than musical, but in Meyvn those pitfalls have been all but eluded. Huge riffs and cutting guitars take the band where their contemporaries shudder to tread. Meyvn trade in aggressive, progressive metal of the highest quality for the cultured mind and if you were captivated by early Queensryche then Splintered Skies should comfortably find a place in your collection.
Zero Tolerance Magazine #013

Progressive power metal akin to Dream Theater and Symphony X, Meyvn is led by frontman Rick Clark who really gets into character when he sings, delivering a powerful performance. The band behind him is incredibly tight-knit. Each of the players is a master of his instrument. Fingers run across strings, up and down fret boards and atop keys with the greatest of ease and stunning results. The musical landscape traversed is wide and varied, telling numerous tales of journeys, nightmares and modern crusaders.
Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles #98 September 2006

A few weeks ago I was hanging around the Prog-power forum at Ultimate Metal. It was there that some guy recommended this band called Meyvn to me. Because I never heard of them I looked up their Myspace and was very impressed with what I heard. So I immediately ordered their album. And I never regretted it. The debut album of this band from Texas sounds fantastic. The vocals are very powerful and melodic and the rhythm section thunders through this album at full force. But especially the guitar playing is a beauty to behold. I have never heard someone play with this much variation to emphasize the different moment in their songs. The compositions tend to the prog side of the metal spectrum but are never needlessly complicated. It is however especially guitarist Drew that is stealing the show. He really is a divers player! Remember that name because it's a real talent. That the songs are not chaotic but retain their melody is telling about the writing skills of this band. This is American quality metal of the highest possible level ! A great album that I will keep on playing. Pure class!
Digital Steel

I had a chance to catch Meyvn live for the first time in November 2005 as they played The Backroom. I hadn’t heard of them before, and they were part of a large line-up of acts (6 or 7 bands played that night), but they were definitely the standout band. Twin guitarists Drew Creel and Jon Simpson drive the bands sound seeming to know when to launch into an amazing solo or drive the sound with the chugga chugga groove. Vocalist Rick Clark brings the sound home by providing his Iron Maiden-meets-Queensryche pipes to the mix. Speaking of an amazing solo, Splintered Skies begins with the kick-the-door-down-honey-I’m-home of “Answer Me.” Wow. Talk about not wasting time to establish a feel for the album. I dare you to listen to this album and not throw your head back and put your metal horns up. “Disturbed” is a song that takes the listener through a dark dream sequence. “Wake up screaming / sweat soaked sheets / Shadows creeping / Monsters my eyes see.” Other tracks to be sure and check out are the anthemic “Arise,” the chanting “Let Loose The Dogs,” the short Spanish-style instrumental of “Furnulum pani nolo”.... If you like your metal done loud and well, then Meyvn is for you.
INsite Magazine - Summer 2006

Austin’s Meyvn is quickly earning the reputation as one of Texas’ most promising progressive metal acts, and this release goes a long way toward reinforcing that idea. This is an exercise in progression seldom attempted by any band, much less one from a region known primarily for blues-based country rock. The sound is positively reptilian, with Meyvn thrashing its tail about like a great medieval dragon. The blistering guitar work of Jon Simpson and Drew Creel is complemented by Creel’s heady keyboards and the relentless pounding rhythms of bassist Ken Liao and drummer Brad Olson. Topping the sound off are Rick Clark’s powerful, passionate vocals. Tracks like “Seize,” “One World,” the awesome acoustic guitar interlude “Eurnulum Pani Nolo” and the highlight “Let Loose The Dogs” take Austin music to a place it’s never ventured before. Be sure to check out Meyvn on one of their many treks through the Metroplex, and on the web at www.meyvn.net.
Harder Beat - May 2006

There are some really excellent bands coming out of the state of Texas right now, OUTWORLD, EDEN’S TWILIGHT and HABITUAL just to name a few. Not sure you could name one that is more poised to make a name for themselves than MEYVN though. Right from the opening salvo of “Answer Me” you know you are in for a progressive feast. This is the band’s full length debut, and when I say full length I mean it because these songs are long. The album is well over an hour long with six tracks that crack the seven minute mark. Splintered Skies is not to be taken lightly, this is one you have to buckle yourself in for.... Tracks like “Disturbed” “Seize” and “Future Untold” slip in and out of tempos effortlessly and pull surprisingly catchy choruses out of what often seems like chaos. My favorite tracks are “Future Untold” “Let Loose the Dogs” and especially “Power of Fear”...
PitRiff Online

I gotta say, I am really surprised that MEYVN is only three years old and that this is a self-released album. The production is fantastically rich and full-bodied without being soulless, while the band sounds like hungry Prog Metal veterans that want to punch you in the face.... if I’m going to compare them to anybody it’s going to be DRAGONFORCE for all the fast-as-Flash shredding, but they’re far more adventurous and, y’know, progressive. But they’ve got a chip on their collective shoulder that reminds me of older Heavy Metal bands like BROCAS HELM and SLOUGH FEG; they’re aggressive without giving into histrionics. Awesome.
The Metal Observer



Last Rites Reviews

This band plays technical power metal, and the bands I will compare them to is a mix of Symphony X, Dream Theater and Watchtower. The things that really stand out on this 6 song CD is the exceptional guitar work by Drew Creel (who also plays keys) and the searing vocal performance by Rick Clark. The bass (Ken Liao) and drums (James Beeson) provide a solid structure upon which the guitar and vocals take center stage... The songwriting on this CD is exceptional, especially on songs like the opening “Cadence” and the fifth song off the CD - “Last Rites.” My overall impression is that Meyvn managed to carve a niche for itself in the densely populated technical metal genre. They have good songwriting and technical proficiency and with the right production I can definitely see this band going a long way.
HoustonBands.net

So here it is kiddies Guitar rock at it’s finest. Dream Theater Meets Megadeth. “Revolution” Is strong and fast right off the bat. Rick’s voice reminds me of Geoff Tate in this song. BRAVO BABY! I love this shit. His range is remarkable. Operatic and melodic. Next is “Cadence”. It opens with some phenomenal guitars and drums. It’s like a war march. Dangerous and treacherous the lyrics seep deep into your souls and rip at your guts. The guitars control this song Throw in magnificent keyboards and you have a hit gift wrapped and waiting for you to open it....Closing out the CD is “Your Rage”. Fast fingers sweep you up into this song with a groovy guitar and up-tempo drum beat. Next to “Shine” I would have to say this is my fav. on this CD. I guess I have elaborated on WHY I dig this band so much. They are versatile and incredible and this song proves it without a doubt. It definitely leaves you wet on the floor and begging for MORE! I can’t begin to express my surprise and pleasure when I sat down and listened to this CD. And I have to say fuckers…get off your cans and get it…
Sugar Buzz Magazine

"Melding blazing speed metal and technical progressive rock into hefty steel chunks, Texas-based Meyvn invokes Savatage, Symphony X and a whole slew of similar bands on the independently released Last Rites. Featuring guitarist Drew Creel, keyboardist Charles Shultz and gutsy singer Richard Clark, Meyvn maintains a nearly relentless barrage on the first three tracks of Last Rites. Building to intoxicatingly intensity on Revolution, showcasing neo-classical shredding and synths on Cadence and pounding the rhythm section into oblivion on One Shot, the band doesn't slow down until the creepy acoustic ballad Shine. There are only six tracks here, but collectively they pack a heavier punch than what many better-established artists are releasing these days. All that said, I've no idea what the band's name means."
Progression Magazine - Issue 47, Fall/Winter 2004

"One of Austin's newest up and coming metal bands, Meyvn, releases their first CD. Last Rites is forty minutes of original progressive rock and speed metal... There are six songs here that showcase neo-classical guitar shredding, pounding rhythyms, dynamic drumming, killer keyboarding, emphatic bass, and versatile vocals... I found the guitar riffs as well as the great vocals and awesome drumming to be very impressive... These guys are real musicians playing parts that beginners could only dream of pulling off, making this CD a real pleasure to listen to. If you have not seen them live yet, you probably will soon at a venue near you!"
The Edge Magazine - Issue 74, December 2004

Live Reviews, Awards, and Miscellaneous

Best Of Austin 2005 poll
Meyvn received the following awards:
#1 Best Group of 2005
#1 Best Guitarist (Drew)
#2 Best Guitarist (Jon)
#2 Best Vocalist
#2 Best Bassist
#3 Best Drummer
#2 Best Metal Band
#3 Best Local Show
#4 Best Band Deserving of a Record Contract
The Edge Magazine - Issue 88, February 2006

Best Of Austin 2004 poll
Meyvn received the following awards:
#2 Best New Act of 2004
#3 Best Rock Band
#7 Best Metal Band
#7 Best Band Deserving of a Record Contract
#5 Best Local Show
#1 Best Flyer
#1 Best Keyboardist
#4 Best CD Release
#4 Best CD Layout
#8 Best Drummer
The Edge Magazine - Issue 76, February 2005

We have been playing Meyvn on the station for about a month now and they have been received very well. We have gotten alot of positive feedback and praise from our listeners and they have spoken! We get track stats on a daily basis on all the songs played on the station and one of the stats is how many times the listeners stopped listening while the song was playing and...Meyvn NEVER gets dropped!!! That is the most damning stat that a band can receive from a broadcasters point of view. Too many drops and that song or artist has to go!!!
Go see and hear Meyvn when they are in town. You won't be disappointed, trust that!!!
HardMetalRock Radio

Meyvn - Dreamworld Music Complex, 1/22/05
This hard hitting progressive rock outfit from Austin TX, showed their full range of musical muscle. Their 45-minute set explored the most demanding aspects of the genre. Wildly complex rhythms, radical time changes, and demandingly melodic vocal melodies colored their performance. Rick Clark (vocals, keyboards) has amazing range and presence that's a study in control and complete abandon, darting across the stage with boundless energy. Brad Olson (drums) and Ken Liao (bass) are the epitome of a truly great rhythm section, maintaining each song structure with power and ease, while Drew Creel (guitar) would alternate between coloring each song and joining his bandmates in delivering crushing riffs. Set highlights included "One Shot" and "Last Rites". Don't miss this troop the next time they hit the Metroplex.
Harder Beat Magazine - March 2005 Issue

As a result of some very enthusiastic reviews from garageband.com members, "Revolution" was Track of the Day at garageband.com on the 17th of December, 2003 and the 27th of August, 2004. "Revolution" was featured on garageband.com's Metal front page.

"Cadence" was Track of the Day on September 27th, 2004. "Cadence" reached #1 on the Progressive Metal charts and #119 on the All-Time Metal charts.

"The trio consists of guitarist Drew Creel, keyboardist Charles Shultz and drummer Brad Olson, each a formidable player in his own right, and each with years of service in progressive bands in their resumes. You'll hear echoes of Dream Theater, Stratovarius and Fates Warning in their demo, with Creel's guitar work shifting focus in dizzying fashion, as he and Shultz play off each otheršs riffs and lines. Even some neo-classical influences sneak their way into the arrangements - this is some good stuff here."
Guitar Nine Records - The Undiscovered
http://www.guitar9.com/undiscov46d.html

progressiverockbr.com