#VAGABONDZREVIEW: CYAN KICKS - HURRICANE

Sometimes it's great to move out of melodic death metal I was mostly reviewing recently. Today, it's time to listen to something really new and kicking, just like Cyan Kicks and their new single Hurricane!

I explored Cyan Kicks last year but haven't gave them a proper listen. After reaching Hurricane I thought hell yeah, these guys can surprise! I looked through their profiles in social media and found just great songs I definitely need to listen. But now let's go through Hurricane that would be possibly (and most likely) representing Finland on Eurovision 2022. The band supported my intention to give their new single a review, so I'm about to start!

Hurricane was written by the band's vocalist Susanna Alexandra, guitarist Niila Perkkiö and Elize Ryd from incredible Swedish metal band Amaranthe. First of all, need to say that single cover is totally rocking and bright helping to create the proper impression before listening. It gives an option that the sound would be the same way gleaming and energetic. Describing their genre, the band members assume three popular ones to influence Cyan Kicks music, it's rock, metal and electronic music. Due to those genres combination the band's music sounds modern and fresh.

Hurricane intro loudly breaks in with effective electronic music vibes what's a bit unusual for me as far as I got used to hear more wild guitar intros recently. Mostly those were melodic death metal bands and now I get it's great to listen to something new. The decision to start the song in such powerful way means for Cyan Kicks that they really want to impress a listener combining different genres as metal containing with electronic music shades. It's sometimes a good step to keep the music variable and more interesting, so I can support such genres mixture in Hurricane. When the vocals jump in I realize how greatly those added to the entire composition dynamics. There are many female vocals I've already heard and reviewed to make a conclusion that Susanna Alexandra has mild and powerful vocals that fits the music just marvelously and naturally. The good balance to the intro is created with vocals intriguingly gathering attention with the remarkable singing manner.

The beginning of verse is all about mild background synths nicely complemented with bass creating stable and intensive lower range section for Hurricane. The vocals sound just exhilarating throughout the verse being dynamic and complimenting the song mood.

Now it's time for the most dazzling and thunderous part of the song. Have to say it's simply kicking and damn impressive, taking into account the bridge joining the chorus. I would like to notice it's unusual but so powerful feature the band added here. The vocalist starts singing chorus while the drums are still blast beating preparing us for that. This moment is simply mind-blowing and it's the great surge of adrenaline for Hurricane doubling the energy situated. The chorus sound field was made wider and spread comparing to the verse. Mainly this effect is reached by the outstanding combination of metal and electronic music that works really well.

The vocals are another thing to excite me while the chorus enters. First of all, those are balancing the spread sound field concentrating the energy in its center nicely fitting the composition as a whole. The second part of chorus seems to be even more energetic and moving with another great vocals feature added. The accent put on shut up and give up with higher register vocals extra track has become another reason I liked the chorus idea so much. It's talented and in-detailed work that made every moment of chorus just intoxicating.

Following the hurricane-like chorus, the second verse is a bit changed withdrums to support the moving mood freshly implemented. The same bridge idea seems even more amazing for the second time because it feels more emphasized after living drums track added. Having listened to the chorus once more I realize that I naturally can listen to that one for multiply times. It's incredibly powerful, moving and expressive. The great deal of expressiveness is reached by the incredible vocals skill and great sound production work done.

Then there comes even more mind-blowing break made out of chorus ending developing. The usage of palm mute on guitars is exactly what such thunderous song needs. Being a guitar player, I always add palm mute moment to some song part I especially like to be the brightest one. Break is one of those and Cyan Kicks did just exhilarating job so far! The mixture of heavy and blasting guitars followed by the same mildly sounding vocals adds up to variety and keeps the listener under pressure awaiting for another great moment to come.

And that one became the wild and moving instrumental bridge. Honestly, this song makes me want to stand up and start jumping already. The striking synths melody is totally wild and strengthens my intention even more. Hell yeah, I know little songs that would sound the same way heavy and moving. The chorus repeats again but now it contains vocals with lead melody and drums on the background. I'm sure this part is made to sit in awaiting for the last mighty chorus to finish the song and here it comes! To my mind, it would be just perfect adding some pyrotechnics to the live show here to emphasize it more and make the song ending wild.

I think now it's to time to sum up the things. I still wonder the way Finnish bands make a song, because every one I listen to has an ability to gather attention right from the start and keep that throughout the song following structure changes. I have been trembling throughout Hurricane waiting for this song to naturally explode. Regarding to the energy, I can only remember Blind Channel's Dark Side that made me have the same emotions. I'm sure Hurricane has real potential to be representing Finland on Eurovision and I will put my horns up in the air for Cyan Kicks!

Musically and instrumentally, Hurricane verses have more pop music vibes than metal because of synths and bass domination. Anyway, those instruments helped empowering the vocals even more and it's the great advantage. Additionally, the strong Amaranthe music influence is heard talking both of song structure and music. Verses with no guitars, but thundering chorus that’s able to make to make you stand up and jump, instrumental breaks and powerful ending. That's all about Amaranthe and now Cyan Kicks. Also Elize Ryd singing manner positively influenced the vocalist as far as she used the same singing elements in chorus emphasizing some lines with higher register vocals. It's also common in Amaranthe music and it's felt throughout the song that Elize took part here.

Making a conclusion I'd like to add that Hurricane would definitely be awaited in live shows setlist because of its outstanding power felt in every microsecond.