Cyanide 4 | Critical Mental Erosion
by Nikiforos Skoumas
Staff Writer
Critical Mental Erosion is the debut EP by the premiere Greek sleaze metal band Cyanide 4. Although a relatively new band, Cyanide have come a long way and have proven themselves as a live act in their domestic market; for that matter they have opened for fellow Greek hard rockers Outloud, supported Sleaze heroes Crashidet on two dates and opened numerous stadium shows of The Scorpions throughout Greece.
Indeed, Cyanide 4 is probably the first sleaze metal band to come out of Greece combining image, youthful attitude but most importantly artistic talent. Before style comes the song-writing for Cyanide 4, and it is that quality of theirs that led to be signed by US label Demon Doll records through which this EP was released.
What perhaps separates musically Cyanide 4 from the majority of modern sleaze metal acts is their emphasis on melody as each and every song they perform is based on infectious harmonies, beyond the expected rhythm attack and large choruses. For that matter, Cyanide 4 stand far from your average sleaze metal group as you will not find much of angry-at-the-world attitude on Critical Mental Erosion. Instead the guys choose deliver drama in their lyrics which perfectly complements their melodies. Beyond the aggressive opener “FFL,” songs titles like “Innocent Alibi,” “Temptation Failed,” “Wasting My Time” and “In the Heat I Fall” are totally indicative of the mood of this collection of tunes. The introspection in the lyrics is like nothing one has come across while exploring the sleaze genre. It is indeed five out of five for the songs on offer yet the closing power-ballad “In the Heat I Fall” (the only track of the EP that will not be included in their full length album) is probably a masterpiece guaranteed to convert any non sleaze-metaler into a fan of the band.
Clearly their front man and main songwriter, guitarist/vocalist G.A. Sinn does not lack vision and seems committed to delivering his own-clearly differentiated brand of sleaze to those willing to explore these musical waters. Critical Mental Erosion sounds so powerful, melodic and self-explorative that is bound to capture the imagination of a rock audience beyond sleaze metalers, and for that fans of the genre should embrace this newcomer band.
Genre: Sleaze Metal / Melodic Hard Rock
Band:
G.A. Sinn: Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Joxnny Slut: Lead guitar
Nasty George: Bass
Mike T.: Drums
Track List:
FFL
Innocent Alibi
Temptation Failed
Wasting My Time
Midnight Heat
Band website: http://www.myspace.com/cyani4de
Label website: http://demondollrecords.com/
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10