CYLS - z

CYLS

Z
self-released; 2014

4.4 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM

By Matt Jensen

If you aren’t familiar with Cyril Monnard at this point then it’s finally time to get acquainted. He plays an active role within Sinn/rd, Larkian and CYLS. Most of his music has been released on his own label DeadVox but his most recent album with CYLS entitled Z took a home with Everest Records. CYLS is a German/Swiss project consisting of Niels Hesse and Cyril Monnar and their music consists of in-depth instrumental soundscapes that spew with emotion and originality. Z is no exception as the music is on par if not exceeding their previous work.

What is organic instrumentation here and what is electronic? In the end it doesn't matter because the music in no way sounds artificial. The songs are more like organisms that evolve over time. Layers are added, taken away and at no time does it feel unnatural. Take for example the first track “Zombified,” which starts off with a haunting alien-like atmospheric that slowly builds into a chugging moving percussive heavy machine. A sporadically placed bass makes itself known as electric anomalies zing and zip across a heavy hitting drumbeat. The changes are subtle but significant and eventually start to break down to nothing more than the beat. 

“Skelton” favors atmosphere instead of percussion and slowly trudges through cloudy, gas-like moods that feel alien. The feeling you get isn't one of contentment but perhaps wonder. “Undertaker” combines digital crackling elements that sound like the motherboard in a computer that has been possessed by a spirit. It forms into a unique combination of hypnotic elements that is certainly one of the most original compositions I have heard recently.

The closer “Deathsurf” contains an ample amount of energy and is indeed one of the most vibrant songs on the album. I was once again impressed by not only the beat but by how they constructed and then reconstructed it in the song.

The most impressive aspect of this record is how distinct yet connected the songs seem. It’s not like they are using the same palette of sound but they feel undeniably interlocked. Z delivers on all aspects

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