Primordial Reverie Debut Concept Album metal artist Cepheidae Variable

Primordial Reverie
11.7.2025

Cepheidae Variable is a progressive metal project helmed by Canadian multi-instrumentalist and producer Ryan Koepke, based in British Columbia, Canada. The music blends technical, riff-driven writing with melodic leads, odd time signatures, orchestral arrangements, and evocative soundscapes. Influenced by Dream Theater, Haken, Intervals, Wintersun, and Caligula’s Horse, the project focuses on instrumental storytelling, with each composition designed to convey narrative, atmosphere, and emotion without vocals.

The debut album Primordial Reverie is a fully instrumental concept record built around evolving biomes and acts in the absence of lyrics. Each track stands on its own while contributing to a cohesive arc through recurring motifs, layered orchestration, synth textures, and guitar-driven themes that grow in intensity as the album unfolds.

“The harmony of sounds and atmosphere that emerge hit the mark perfectly, delivering moments of pure poetry: a blend of technique and inspiration pushed to decidedly high qualitative levels, confirming the compositional and interpretive skills of an artist of real substance.”
– Rock Hard Italy

“Without vocals, the artist has to work harder to convey his feelings and emotions in his music, and Ryan did that well. Many of the melodies you can hum or sing along with, and that’s a testament to the instrumental album.”
– Metal Temple

“It’s easy for instrumental metal, and for progressive metal, to lose their emotional punch in a pile of clever passages. Ryan Koepke does an excellent job maintaining poignancy throughout Primordial Reverie‘s hour-ish run time. This album does feel like a singular journey that takes the listener into different emotional headspaces as the music unfolds.”
– Metal Utopia

“The musicianship is undeniable, with Koepke proving himself a highly capable guitarist.”
– Metalized Magazine

“Combining symphonic textures, sci-fi ambience, and progressive intricacy, Primordial Reverie explores the balance between chaos and melody, emotion and evolution. Through layers of orchestral arrangements, synths, and guitar-driven storytelling, Ryan invites listeners to experience a sonic voyage through creation, transformation, and reflection.”
– Crannk

Written by Ryan Koepke
Mixed by Ryan Koepke
Mastered by Cole Millward
Artwork by Alex Eckman-Lawn