Author: Sebastijan Videc
Artist: CyHra
Label: Spinefarm Records
Release: numbers
Length: 45:28
Rating: 4.5/5
When we talk about CyHra (pronounced “sigh-ra”), we can’t get around the »supergroup« label. We’ve seen quite a few of those lately, but the fact is that a pile of renowned musicians in one band is no recipe for good music. On top of that, such bands are more or less just side projects, so their longevity is questionable, not to mention how rare their live shows are.
So what makes CyHra different? With the exception of drummer Alex Landenburg, who also keeps the beat in Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody, the rest of the members are part of CyHra’s permanent line-up. The band grew out of an idea from friends Jake E. and Jesper Strömblad. While Jake E. wasn’t happy with his role in Amaranthe, Jesper spent almost seven years after leaving In Flames battling personal demons, more or less successfully, and they heavily affected his music-making too. And if ‘Letters To Myself’ is a reflection of how he’s feeling, then he’s making a triumphant return. Another musical colleague joined him in the band, Peter Iwers, who followed him pretty quickly after leaving In Flames. Rounding out this »supergroup«, which doesn’t really see itself as one, is the second guitarist, introduced just recently, Euge Valovirta, who until not long ago was shredding strings in Sweden’s Shining.
If you’re expecting a new In Flames from CyHra, the kind some think should have stuck around from Colony and Clayman onward, you’ll be disappointed. Don’t expect a new Amaranthe either. CyHra play modern melodic metal, backed by samplers and keyboards, but without any fear. Jake E.’s trademark vocal is still here, and while on some tracks he stays in the style of his former »employers«, this time we get to hear him across a much wider vocal range. Jesper’s signature guitar sound, the one that made In Flames famous in their best years, complete with twin guitar harmonies and acoustic parts, is still here too.
The album opens with ‘Karma’, which was also the first single the band put out. After an electronic intro, Jesper’s triplet melodic riff hits us right away, followed by Jake’s unmistakable vocal. This punchy track nicely blends that classic In Flames melodicism with Jake’s vocals, and it’s no accident they wanted this single to win over fans of both old In Flames and Amaranthe. Next up is ‘Heartrage’, where Landenburg’s drumming comes through right from the start, and it’s immediately clear he worked with bands like Annihilator and LT’s Rhapsody for a reason. ‘Here To Save You’ is one of the standout tracks, starting with an acoustic intro that’s quickly joined by distorted guitars and an incredibly catchy melodic chorus with a guitar solo. ‘Closure’ is the album’s first ballad; piano and strings quickly join the guitars in the intro, and the chorus blossoms grandly in the style of ’80s ballads by Toto, Journey and the like. ‘Letter To Myself’ is another faster, nicely rounded track, both melodically and with its crunchy verse riffs and melodic transitions into the chorus. ‘Muted Life’ deftly switches between calmer parts and bombastic melodic choruses. Then comes ‘Dark Clarity’, which flirts heavily with Scandinavian pop, a genre that has always been at a very high level; I could almost say it’s metalized Roxette. ‘Holding Your Breath’ is a mid-tempo track that turns into an extremely melodic song after its electronic intro, and Jake E. shows in the chorus just how high his voice can go. ‘Rescue Ride’ and ‘Black Wings’ are two more mid-tempo tracks with piano added to the mix. While the former is more direct, the latter, with string parts in the choruses and a great »scale-run« guitar solo, creates a hair-raising sense of epicness. ‘Inside a Lullaby’ is the album’s second proper ballad, led by piano and a string backdrop, and it will surely become the love song of lovestruck CyHra fans. The album closes with the very interesting ‘Dead To Me’. The track builds progressively – at the start, acoustic guitars are combined with a spoken part that slightly recalls Eminem’s hit ‘Lose Yourself’, followed by piano and Jake E.’s really low, raspy voice. Strings join him in the first half of the chorus and distorted guitars in the second, slowly building up the epicness of the chorus.
‘Letters To Myself’ is a very good debut album, and I recommend it to anyone who doesn’t mind a bit more electronics in their metal. With its exceptionally positive lyrical note (the main theme is moving forward and leaving the past behind), it could also become motivational music for people who suffer from depression or struggle with the hardships of everyday life. Add Jake E.’s characteristic vocal and Jesper’s infectious melodic guitars, and what we have here is an exceptionally good, very listenable album that will no doubt bring the band a bright future.
Line-up
Jake E. – vocals
Jesper Strömblad – guitar
Euge Vilovirta – guitar
Peter Iwers – bass
Alex Landenburg – drums
Tracklist
01. Karma
02. Heartrage
03. Here To Save You
04. Closure
05. Letter To Myself
06. Muted Life
07. Dark Clarity
08. Holding Your Breath
09. Rescue Ride
10. Black Wings
11. Inside A Lullaby
12. Dead To Me
