Sometimes you come across a band that would never have gotten your attention unless someone pointed them out to you. In this case it was the name of the band with the rather unorthodox description of their brand of music that got me interested in this Chicago based trio. According to the PROGDAY site SONS OF RA is an eclectic ensemble draws inspiration from Avant Garde Music, Classic Jazz Fusion with Post-progressive sensibilities, infusing their music with cosmic vibrations and experimental fervour. Earlier in 2024, SONS OF RA unveiled the EP “Tropic Of Cancer”, a six-part suite and their first new music to appear since the pandemic. On 11th of April 2025 we were blessed with the follow up, the debut full length album “Standard Deviation”, and the music on this album is anything but what the title says.

The opener “Disintegration (Alabama Revisited)” is Jazzrock, Hard Rock and rather haphazard rhythms and soundscapes. It is as weird as it sounds, with a saxophone added as an extra to all of the impressive instrumental happenings. If you are able to survive that song, the rest of “Standard Deviation” is quite the doddle, as it doesn’t stray as wide off the beaten track. Songs like “Outside Looking In” and “Don't Know Yet” will fit much more into the frame that is called Jazzrock, and have a certain kind of swing to them that will have you tapping your feet and enjoying the addictive rhythms that these three instrumental greats are bringing to the turntable. “Don't Know Yet” even has some parts that are very heavy indeed. Me likes.

That is another element of SONS OF RA that surprises me; on “Standard Deviation” I am not missing the vocals at all. The way the guys fill every void with a saxophone makes that it feels like those have taken the place of a singer. And even though it gets a little freaky from time to time, the path forward is always found when needed. Which prevents the band and their music going off the rails completely. Let me issue a word of warning; if you are not one to think outside the box, to always want a straight line in music as well as life, SONS OF RA is not the band for you. But if you are like me, and you liked the Jazzy Death Metal albums of bands like PESTILENCE and CYNIC, you could always give “Standard Deviation” a listen. It might not be anywhere as heavy as the ones mentioned, you will certainly enjoy the musicianship.