Cyrax
Pictures

Behind the moniker Cyrax hides an Italian quartet that is releasing their second album that they call Pictures, the picture on the cover is certainly worth checking out as I think that is a cool one. This album follows two years after the debut Reflections, an album that like most other albums was critically acclaimed by the Internet reviewers. This new album features a rich list of guest musicians and such things and I have been listening to it to form an opinion about it.

Their musical pictures are diverse and complex with changes in tempo and style through the songs; progressive metal is probably the best way to describe this album if you need to put a label on it. The musical pictures are a lot more colourful than the cover picture; there are classical influences with strings and choirs but also parts from many different kinds of metal. But in all the complexity they still manage to keep it coherent and fairly accessible which should make it possible for this album to appeal to a wider audience. Thanks to the complexity but also thanks to input from the guest musicians it becomes an album that is very varied and that should easily keep you listening through the entire 41 minute playing time.

Not the best singer I have ever heard in my life but he works well on this album, adding a sense of personality to the album. I think this is a great album; it has depth, great production and diversity while still remaining coherent. It is a very solid production and a great album that should cater to the interest of fans of progressive metal and probably to many fans of other styles of music as well as it is a great album. I like how they manage to keep it coherent while still offering up a great deal of variation. One should however add that it is an album that may require time and effort to really get to know as its complexity may be deterring at first glance but it isn’t that complex and should appeal to more than just the progressive metal fans.

All the tracks are strong on this album and it is strongly recommended, and it would be quite difficult to pick out a favourite. I think the three-part suite called Shine Through Darkness is a great trio of songs but the one that stands out the most for me is the fifth track Oedipus Rex, which is a great track on a terrific album. So if you are a progressive metal fan you should really check out this album, and not only the picture on its cover.

HHHHHHH