ARTIST: CygnosiC

ALBUM: A Deity in Pain

LABEL: BLC Productions

REVIEWER: Matthew J.

DATE: 1-16-10

The latest terror EBM act to join the BLC Productions roster, CygnosiC hails from Athens, Greece and offers up a fairly predictable but well-executed debut. The familiar elements are all here, from the thickly distorted vocals, which tend more toward guttural growl than raspy shriek, to the flattened pulsing kicks to the horror film samples. But though it's formulaic, it's at the very least well-produced; opening track "To Spread the Chaos" in particular feels extremely lush despite its sampled moans and screams, with the trance-infused synth sequences and choral effects washing over you like the tide even as the bass line pummels your kidneys. CygnosiC's programmer and vocalist, Dimitris N. Douvras, does tend to overdo things with horror film choir synths, but he puts a penchant for soundtrack elements to good use on "You Stink of Fear," built around samples from Stanley Kubrick's The Shining and featuring piano and strings that provide a wonderfully cinematic atmosphere. "Neva55" takes a more forceful approach, less reliant on symphonic sequences and more focused on pure rhythm and sound, with rapid fire industrial clattering providing a counterpoint to the kick while looping sirens add a sense of urgency. Predictable in places but eminently stomp-worthy, this is a solid debut that should please fans of Suicide Commando, Agonoize and Psyclon Nine.

Visit http://cygnosic.org/ for more information.