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KEYAN and CONNOR KAMINSKI
‘Kinetic’
A 20-Minute Odyssey
of Motion and Emotion
EP Review

(12th May, 2025)

Review by Sylwia Green

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Keyan

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Connor Kaminski

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KEYAN and Connor Kaminski deliver a seamless collaboration that equally challenges and rewards.

When Adelaide shred-lord KEYAN joins forces with UK-based prog metal wizard Connor Kaminski, the outcome is Kinetic—a three-track instrumental EP that doesn’t just flex technical chops; it embodies the very concept of movement. Spanning just over 20 minutes, the EP is a sweeping sonic journey marked by soaring leads, labyrinthine rhythms, and wide-screen cinematic textures.

The synergy between the two guitarists is undeniable, fusing KEYAN’s muscular, riff-driven intensity with Kaminski’s orchestral, mood-rich approach.

The opener, “Swell,” sets the tone with a sense of grandeur and emotional lift. As KEYAN says in an interview, he wanted the track to be “happier” without sacrificing the guitarist’s love for heavy music. And sure enough, beneath the surface, “Swell” is a calculated display of volume shifts and tonal modulation that mimics the natural rhythm of tides. This blend of emotional storytelling and high-level guitar work pulls the listener in from the first note.

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“Oscillate” takes a more unpredictable turn. As the name suggests, the track wavers between time signatures, moods, and tones. Using a cleverly stacked chain of fuzz and octave pedals, Kaminski makes this track feel alive and mutative. You never quite settle in before the song morphs again, challenging even seasoned prog fans to stay locked in.

Finally, “Pirouette” closes out the EP on a more introspective note. It’s a fitting end, wrapping thematic elements from earlier tracks into a haunting, restrained performance. Subtle callbacks, sudden silences, and melodic déjà vu make this track feel like a dream you’re not sure you’ve had before. It’s minimal, eerie, and utterly captivating.

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Kinetic—The Collaborative Alchemy

What makes Kinetic stand out is the authentic collaboration at its core. KEYAN and Kaminski aren’t just throwing solos back and forth—they’re building something together. Their contrasting styles don’t clash—they converse. Add guest appearances from Adam ‘Nolly’ Getgood (Periphery) on production and the ever-smooth Jack Gardiner dropping jazz-fusion lines, and you’ve got an EP that doesn’t just sound polished—it feels alive, breathing with intention and purpose.

Kinetic isn’t just a progressive metal release—it’s a motion study in musical form.

It dares listeners to keep up, constantly shifting and redefining what instrumental progressive metal can be. If you’re into the likes of Intervals, Plini, or Devin Townsend, this one will hit home. And if you’re just dipping your toes into prog, Kinetic is a bold and rewarding place to start.

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Kinetic
Track List

01. Swell
02. Oscilate
03. Pirouette

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Follow KEYAN – Linktree

Follow CONNOR KAMINSKI – Website

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AMNPLIFY – DB