CEPHEIDAE VARIABLE Posts New Guitar Playthrough "Chromatic Haven" ft. guest Matt Mills!
- Jason Hesley
- Nov 19, 2025
- 2 min read
Kelowna, Canada's progressive metal project Cepheidae Variable has released a brand-new guitar playthrough video for “Chromatic Haven”, showcasing a blistering guest solo from acclaimed guitarist Matt Mills. The track is featured on the band’s debut album, "Primordial Reverie," a sweeping instrumental concept record that has already drawn attention for its ambitious scope and emotional depth.
Founded by guitarist and composer Ryan Koepke, Cepheidae Variable began as a personal exploration of musical growth. Initially conceived without grand ambitions, the project took on deeper meaning following Koepke’s father’s cancer diagnosis and quickly evolved into a cathartic exploration of life’s turbulence.
“It drove me to stop waiting around and create something I’d be proud of. The writing process became both a creative outlet and a source of resilience, further fueled by the news that I was becoming a father. These life events shaped the emotional upheaval woven throughout Primordial Reverie," explains Koepke.
"Primordial Reverie" unfolds like a three-act story told entirely through instrumentation, blending symphonic fantasy elements with progressive metal complexity and sci-fi-inspired soundscapes. The album’s layered orchestration, shifting time signatures, and recurring motifs create a listening experience designed to be absorbed in full.
“Chromatic Haven” offers a moment of whimsy and groove before turning darker, with heavy guitars and atmospheric leads driving the listener toward the album’s climactic final act. Mills’ guest solo adds virtuosic flair, elevating the track’s tension and release while highlighting the collaborative spirit behind the project. The playthrough video captures the technical precision and emotional resonance that define Cepheidae Variable’s sound.
With "Primordial Reverie," Koepke has established Cepheidae Variable as a unique voice in modern progressive metal, drawing influence from Dream Theater, Haken, Intervals, Wintersun, and Caligula’s Horse while carving out a distinct identity. Though currently instrumental, Koepke envisions the project evolving further in future releases, potentially expanding beyond its solo roots.
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