Cyanbaal – Dark Reflections (Album – darkSIGN-Records)
Genre/Influences: Electro-Wave.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: “Dark Reflections” is the fourth self-released album by German project Cyanbaal. The project was set up in 2014 by ‘Master P.’ and has released four albums between 2019 and 2021.
Content: This work is clearly driven by good-old influences getting us back to 80s Electro-Wave. The songs are elementary, featuring dark and dreamy synth atmospheres mixed with slow, but bombastic rhythms. The vocals have something sterile, featuring male- and female backing vocals.
+ + + : The influences and global approach both are interesting, resulting in the great “Social Death”. This song is driven by more aggressive sequences and catchy lyrics. I also recommend listening to “Japanese Ghost Story” for its original sound treatments. The female (backing)-vocals add a cool -and also pretty 80s driven, touch to the work.
– – – : The production is based on rather simple and rudimentary songwriting. I don’t have anything against this approach, but a bit more elaboration would be suitable and a true bonus.
Conclusion: This work is mixing a few cool songs with forgettable passages. It might however appeal to Electro-Wave fans.
Best songs: “Social Death”, “Japanese Ghost Story”, “Séance – Vers. 2021”.
Rate: 6.
Listen to “Dark Reflections”:
Artist & Label: www.facebook.com/Cyanbaal
About Cyanbaal
Cyanbaal is a German electro-darkwave project founded in 2014 by P. Master, who also records as Patrick George Kasperski. Discogs lists Haether Wayward as a second member. The project’s Bandcamp page gives Witten, Germany as its base.
The discography opens with “Madame Degradation” in 2015 and the self-released EP “Repulsive Theatre” in 2017. “Life Without Exit” and “Living Tunnel” followed in 2019, “Cautionary Tales” in 2020 and “Dark Reflections” in 2021. The album reviewed above was released on Bandcamp on December 17, 2021 and, like the earlier records, appeared without a label.
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