Metal Reviews
Metal Reviews
CIPHER |
| Cipher are
: Mark Shveima Jr. on Vocals Joey Eck on Drums Bill Cornett on Bass Matt on Guitar Carlos Rodriguezon Guitar The tracks are : 1. 122 2. Nothing Wrong 3. Seven Days 4. Needle 5. Artificial Life 6. Migraine 7. Downsized 8. Believe This 9. Pushed 10. Indignant 11. You In Me (Becoming) 12. Crawl 13. Drowning I don't whether many of you ever read the inlay card on a CD? Well maybe you should because on the inlay card on this CD there is a quote "Tell a friend, word of mouth is the only way the underground music can stay alive - keep it heavy". Personally, I think that, that is sad. Why? Because when you listen to this CD and know that the music is just so good and is being played by a band with lots of talent and that they should be major league, a household name if you like, and 'Kingdom of The Blind' should be in record collections up and down the country. Cipher ooze class and confidence with their own unique sound (which could be described as Soundgarden meets Temple of The Dog with just a hint of Hardcore thrown in for good measure), but it's only after a few plays that the latter really becomes obvious. Cipher's confidence must be overflowing, how else can you explain the opening track '122', an instrumental that lasts, thats right for 122 seconds or the final track 'Drowning', which is ultra heavy, but with a twist, the twist being an Indian tribal chant right at the end, but there's much more to Cipher than the nice touches. All of the songs sprout excellent rhythms, superb guitar work, wonderful bass lines and vocals that compliment the music, not overshadowing it. (a mistake quite a few bands seem to make). All of the songs on 'Kingdom Of The Blind' are quite simply Brilliant!!!, each song compliments each other perfectly. The most difficult part is chosing a few stand out tracks as I have already said they are all so good, but if I was pushed, I would have to say 'Migraine' for it's excellent lyrics ( I don't suffer from migraines and after listening to this, I am glad that I don't) 'Believe this', for it's excellent guitar work. The totally manic 'Pushed' without doubt the heaviest track on the whole album and 'You In Me (Becoming)' for it's slow and moody intro, excellent guitar riff and first class vocal. But being so good, I'm sure some of you will disagree with my selection. Cipher surely must know that they have created a potential monster in 'Kingdom Of the Blind', an album so full of it's own brilliance that you can't help being bludgeoned into submission. Should you BUY? Should you even be asking at this point? This CD is released by Eclipse Records Corp. 23 Ward Avenue, Butler, NJ 07405. U.S.A. Website : http://www.eclipserecords.com CIPHER Website : http://www.concentric.net/~ogar/cipher1.html |