Progressive Metal band Temic is an international super group featuring current and former members of Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, Neal Morse Band, Haken, Shining and Maraton. Hailing from the Netherlands, their first album charted widely, but their second album Ceiba has now been announced showing their development as a band. The single and video for “Ceased To Be” are out now.

Temic says of the album:

Ceiba is a concept album about loss in all its various forms. While more progressive than our first album, the songs are driven by honesty and emotions. They deal with pain, anger, fear, blame and silence, which are all difficult in their own way but a part of the process to renewing our inner strength.

The concept behind Temic started in 2017, when keyboardist Diego Tejeida and guitarist Eric Gillette were both touring members of Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress. After proving to be a quick fit on stage, the two decided to start their own band together, and they later recruited former soccer prodigy-turned-Zildjian-endorsed drummer Simen Sandnes to go along with Norwegian Idol contestant and vocalist Fredrik Klemp.

In Mayan culture, the tree Ceiba is considered sacred for its connection to the earth, heaven and the underworld.

Tjeida explains:

We love how the image of the Ceiba connects to the overarching theme of loss.

I have experienced lots of personal losses, along with everyone else. Though we don’t often talk about them with each other, loss is so universal that it will always be a natural part of our lives, like a tree.

The band now also features newest member and bassist Miguel Pereira (Withem, Big City).

The band says of the album writing:

We wrote this album together with contributions from all five members. We allowed ourselves to explore the songs and really extend ourselves while always keeping the emotions at the front of our minds.