CYPHER SEER „Awakening Day”

Music: Traditional/Power Metal
Website: http://www.cypherseer.com
Country: U.S.A.
Cool songs: V 666, Awakening Day, Walk Through Hell, Haunted Saga

If the name CYPHER SEER does not ring the bell, that is O.K. It does not mean that either you are badly informed or uninterested in metal scene. The fact is that this band exist since… 2007. but earlier it was known as MALAKIS REIGN. The musicians had to change the name because of some unpleasant events the do not want to mention (all we can do is to speculate). On the official site Sergio Ribeiro wrote, that they are fully satisfied with their new name and that apart from this little detail, nothing else has changed.

The first thing that will definitely draw anyone’s attention is the number of tracks: there is 99 of them. Each song is divided into ten parts, each of the same length. Say what you want, but this looks really cool on the LCD screen.

The first album of CYPHER SEER starts heavily and very fast. Classic double guitar riff works nicely with the keyboards and vocal lines, not to mention the drums, which behave very naughty. What I mean, is that sometimes Myers works very hard to reach the speed of light. It is audible, that the band have their own style, which they follow throughout the album. It is clear, in the title track, that they are good craftsmen, who know how to play heavy, rhythmic and fast metal. “Awakening Day” is a nice composition, which can be treated as a model of Power Metal. It is rhythmic and those swift pace swapping work good on it. The melodic line shows that the musicians are very good technicians. “Piece Of My Beginning” is a very heavy stone. Although it is a little bit boring, because it sounds similar to the “Awakening Day”. Two similar songs, one after another, is not a good idea. “Malachai’s Reign” is a bow in the direction of old fans, who remember and cherish the band’s former name. Again, the same beginning as the previous track, but later it is going better and better. Like a swing: faster – slower. Louder – quieter. With cool riffs and double guitar, plus super-fast drums. The finish is a real tornado. Worth to mention are the keyboards parts, which sound like the old MARILLION’s. Maybe this is a sentiment, although this is a one-hundred-percent pro for the guys. “Act Of Desperation”, “Walk Through Hell” and “On Chained Down” are pure power metal constructions. Performed in the highest standards with fast and emotional play, with Grant’s haunting vocal. But “Walk Through Hell”, with its very dynamic and powerful guitars, is the best one in this trio. The last three tracks are bounded together under the name of “Haunted Saga”. The triptych starts pathetic with “Nocturnal Apparitions” which later on develops into a fine and fleshy composition. The drums at the beginning are juicy and very ripe. Together with keyboards they create a grim atmosphere which stays till the end of the song (and it is only instrumental). Quick change of motif and we are on, the band is having “Haunted Visions”. The characteristic energetic atmosphere is still present. The instruments and the vocal lines are mixed perfectly. It all brings everything to the “Final Encounter”, the final song of this album. The links between the songs of the “Saga” are almost invisible. The style and pace change so smoothly, that sometimes it is really hard to notice anything. The final track is a perfect finish: fast and furious riffs, marvellous drums, strong and raw bass line and again, those characteristic keyboards. Those factors create a very good song – the song to remember, which will sit in the mind for a long time.

When I heard the first song, I was full of joy and hope. Finally something new and original. Well, I thought too fast. The middle of the album sounds like one song, sometimes played faster or slower. But the finish brought this hope back to life. The “Haunted Saga” is a little milestone for CYPHER SEER. This album is pretty good: good mastering and mixing, good rebirth under a new name, good power metal. Good job!

And one last thing – if you want to see the front cover of this album in original, check the official site of Dimitar Nikolov. He is the one, who designed and created this little work of art.

note: 7.5/10

Tracklist

1. V.666
2. Awakening Day
3. Pieces of My Beginning
4. Malachai's Reign
5. Act of Desperation
6. Walk Through Hell
7. On Chained Down
8. Haunted Saga – Nocturnal Apparition
9. Haunted Saga – Haunted Visions
10. Haunted Saga – Final Encounter

Total playing time 49:17

Line-up

Michael Grant – Vocals
Sergio Ribeiro – Guitars
Rod Mariani – Guitars
Nat Gallo – Bass
Sergio Oliveira – Keyboards
Kevin Myers – Drums