Album Review

Cynic Guru – Catastrophe

• 24th Jun 2011

Cynic Guru release this ambitious pop rock anthem Catastrophe on US Independence Day (4th July), and it’s a track that will easily draw people in who enjoy the good ol’ hooks and masterful guitar riffs and also expect a violin play from the band’s lead singer and brainchild the group – Roland Hartwell.

If you want some background info into the band, it’s pretty interesting. The band started way back in 1991 in Los Angeles – however, it wasn’t until Hartwell moved to Iceland in 2001, where the band’s recognition began and it was at the Iceland Airwaves Festival were Cynic Guru nailed their first signing to a record label.

Although ‘Catastrophe’ contains Hartwell’s violin playing, it most certainly does not linger on the trends of being a Classical music piece. Instead, the song mixes a rather psychedelic feel and rocking grind from a more 60’s/70’s noise. Combined with a pounding beat and dramatic strings, ensures the strong impact this song may have on listeners.

B-side ‘Secret’ is a bit of the more same really, but has a more ‘grungy’ feel to it. The opening is a quiet start, but eventually the song builds, the vocals become raw especially in the chorus but return it’s more soft and hushed sound throughout the majority of the song. An atmospheric track to say the least. Very Nice.

3.5/5