Recent Reviews

November 2024

October 2024

September 2024

August 2024

[ More Music Reviews ]


CypherSeer: Origins
CypherSeer Origins album new music review

CypherSeer: Origins

Progressive Power Metal
4.0/5.0

Nightmare Records
Website Facebook Twitter MySpace
by Craig Hartranft,  04.04.2011

After a promising start, but then subsequent personnel changes, New Jersey's CypherSeer returns with their second album Origins. Perhaps the most significant change is the addition of Zeno Rodrigo on vocals. Rodrigo has impressive strength, range and passion in his style.

Otherwise, Origins finds CypherSeer rounding out their sound from a familiar foundation: traditional American heavy/power metal. However, this time around, the band packs in some major intensity. The operative words here are heavy, fast, melodic and much more technical than previously found. Bloodline, Dying Force, or Faith Renounced are definitive of this style. CypherSeer also see fit to add some modern nuances to their songs. Specifically, dirty vocals figure into many arrangements, sometimes along the death metal line (Lost, Plagued, and Redefined) but more often post-hardcore (Bloodline). Generally, however, these inclusions are best described as confusing, particularly on the aforementioned Bloodline and the later Faith Renounced. Call them accent, annoying or unnecessary, but they appear on some of the best songs with the best music, namely Faith Renounced, As I Embrace the End, and Lost, Plagued, and Redefined.

Fundamentally, the definitive character of Origins is the blend of blistering intensity with equally powerful melody. Additionally, you'll hear some terrific fiery fret work. Add to this Zeno Rodrigo's strong and soaring vocal performance, and this work is worthy American heavy metal contender.

However, with this said, I can already hear some saying that there's an inherent redundancy apparent in most all the songs. This was the complaint of some reviewers concerning Awakening Day. I'm not sure I'm ready to agree. Certainly, there's a consistent musical theme but, conversely, I hear a developing maturity of style and substance. Passing on the addition of the modern dirty/hardcore vocal, CypherSeer's Origins is a fine album of modern American heavy metal.




CraigHartranft.net - New fiction, crime fiction by Craig Hartranft

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

In Short

The definitive character of CypherSeer's Origins is the blend of blistering intensity with equally powerful melody. Passing on the addition of the modern dirty/hardcore vocal additions, Origins is a fine album of modern American heavy metal.

Find A Review

Alphabetical Index

a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z #
New & Notable
Read the Lionville: Supernatural Album Review

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]