Cynical Existence – Rebirth (Album – Advoxya Records)
Genre/Influences: Industrial, electronic, metal, crossover.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: After having released three albums on Alfa Matrix and one album on Advoxya Records, Cynical Existence unleashed its fifth opus at the end of 2019. Fredrik Croona got some assistance from Anders Ström and Rodolfo Montenegro. The guitar has been played by Jimmy Bergman while Erik Gustafson played some additional guitars on the opening song. George Klontzas (known from his involvement in Pre.Emptive Strike 01) did some additional keyboards. Notice there’s also a limited edition available featuring an extra disc.
Content: The album “Dying Light” (2017) already was a step towards a new sound direction. “Rebirth” simply confirms this evolution in sound. The guitar has been accentuated and features several solo parts, injecting a clear metal touch to the songs. There’s something ‘doom’-like hanging over the production, which is an aspect you also can notice in the production of the vocals. However Cynical Existence remains influenced by electronic music as well, the electronic parts adding a melodic touch to the work.
+ + + : If “Dying Light” could be considered as a transitional opus, “Rebirth” seems to indicate the new path of Cynical Existence. The band left its electronic roots behind –or to the Fredrik Croona-project, to focus on pure crossover. It always is a challenge to transpose your original and successful sound into something new. I enjoy the ‘doom’ sphere recovering this work. If you like hard and enraged ‘industrial’ music Cynical Existence has something of a sonic demon!
– – – : From a very personal point of view I definitely prefer the early work of the band. “Rebirth” has less in common with the electronic side, which gives the band some recognition. It even sounds a bit as music for a different (metal) scene.
Conclusion: “Rebirth” in a way stands for the renewed sound of Cynical Existence!
Best songs: “Crawling Chaos”, “Cursed”.
Rate: (7).
Artist: www.cynicalexistence.com / www.facebook.com/cynicalexistenceband
Label: www.advoxya–records.com / www.facebook.com/pages/Advoxya–Records/265765706059
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