Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Label: Nightmare Records
Taking a large amount of elements from Sweden’s melodic death metal scene and making it their own, Cypherseer seem to be poised to take the American market by storm.
Think In Flames, Soilwork, and Dark Tranquillity, mixed with American death metal ideas and have Frederik Nordstrom produce it. It’s nothing all that original, but it is pretty good.
7 out of 10.
Cypherseer‘s much anticipated follow-up to the critically acclaimed debut Awakening Day, is stronger, heavier, faster and an overall outstanding sophomore effort for this young band. Equipped with an arsenal of new members, Cypherseer‘s Origins features fierce guitar work and vocals that highlight the powerful rhythmic ensemble. Origins can best be described as a cross between In Flames’ Clayman and Evergrey’s Recreation Day, with added spice of Scar Symmetry, Mercenary, Soilwork and others – It’s fast, technical, and extremely melodic. Origins was edited and mixed by well known talent Fredrik Nordstrom (In Flames, Dark Tranquility, Dream Evil).
Cypherseer hails from New Jersey/New York area of the States. Whether recording or during live shows, Cypherseer always pushes the envelope in order to keep the experience fresh and their fans engaged. The history of Cypherseer has included a lot of big names in the metal industry such as James Rivera (Helstar, Vicious Rumors) and Mike LePond (Symphony X). However, the most notable name is producer extraordinaire Fredrik Nordstrom (In Flames, Soilwork, Dark Tranquillity, At The Gates, Etc). Nordstrom’s magic can be heard on Awakening Day, Cypherseer‘s debut album.
During the winter of 2008, the rebuilding of the band process began with the search for a new vocalist. The spot was quickly filled by Zeno Rodrigo, a powerful singer whose voice would redefine the sound of Cypherseer. With the focal point of the band accounted for, auditions continued for the remainder of the rhythm section. In the end, drummer Lee Corrado and bassist Kristian Lolo were the two musicians selected to fill the roster, and Cypherseer was reborn, stronger than ever.
Now, armed with an improved line-up, Cypherseer returns with the recording of their much anticipated sophomore album, Origins. With Fredrik Nordstrom once again behind the mixing board, the new album brings a more powerful, technical and ambitious sound in comparison to the debut album.
Origins Tracklisting:
1. Bloodline
2. The Curse
3. Dying Force
4. Faith Renounced
5. Aftermass
6. From the Womb
7. Soul Sacrifice
8. Red Rain
9. Infinite Trance
10. Lost, Plagued and Redefined
11. As I Embrace the End
The vision, sound, and drive are completely in sync, as a new era begins…
Genres: Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock
Label: Nightmare Records
Seeming to take a page from Canada’s Scratching Post, Clandestine are playing a type of music that is full of melodies with a powerful female vocalist. The music itself ranges from Scratching Post-esq hard rock to early Deftones nü-ness, with some more progressive passages akin to Tool during the Lateralus era.
Pretty good stuff, if you ask me.
Favorite tracks are “Disappear in You”, “Philistine”, and “Dead to the World”, with “Phantom Pain” definitely recommended.
8 out of 10.
Clandestine on MySpace.
Nightmare Records is pleased to announce the signing of Los Angeles, California’s Clandestine. Clandestine is female fronted melodic rock with a serious kick you in the face attitude. Their debut album The Invalid will be released on February 15, 2011. Nightmare Records is based out of St. Paul Minnesota and is distributed by RED.
Mixed by well known producer Sylvia Massey (Tool, System Of A Down), this band has wickedly infections melodies and music that crosses many lines in the sand of purists rock, alternative, electronic and metal genres an extremely impressive, 10 fresh songs equaling a 45 minute slab of hard edged rock that never fails to deliver on all levels.
The band is fronted by singer June Park who wields a very impressive almost otherworldly and fierce voice. Enigmatic and engaging she is without a doubt, a star on the rise. The four-piece is fulfilling the thirst of today’s music fans that are in search of a new sound that triggers their ultimate aural pleasure.
Clandestine‘s ultimate goal is combining diverse influences and styles that mark a new generation with an unnamed creation while striving to provide a sonic link from the past to the future.
Clandestine is a truly unique band, combining progressive rock with female fronted metal, a touch of electronic music that enhances the futuristic timbre, and some smooth huge pop melodies. “The Invalid” is a must for fans of bands as diverse as Evanescence, Dream Theater, Fair to Midland, Rush, Lacuna Coil, Tool and Between the Buried & Me.
What more can you ask for?
Clandestine on MySpace.