Cilver – Not The End Of The World

By RingMaster Review on April 27, 2016 • ( 0 )

Cliver_RingMasterReview

Some bands and their sound just seem to naturally spark attention and so it is with US based hard rockers Cilver. Over the past three years, the quartet has drawn a wave of increasing interest and support with their sound, success backed by an equally ascending live presence. Now the band is looking at waking up a broader expanse or ears and spotlights with debut album Not The End Of The World. As their sound in general, it is a rousing roar of familiar and distinctly fresh essences and textures creating a commandingly contagious spirit sparking proposition very easy to find a greedy appetite for.

Formed by Romanian born vocalist Uliana Preotu and guitarist Leon Lyazidi, a pair who had already been part of MeTalkPretty, Cilver began in New York in 2013. Within months they linked up with Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Guns N’ Roses, Art Of Anarchy) and released debut single In My Head. It and a subsequent EP of the same name the following year, quickly caught the attention of fans and media alike; inspiring eOne to sign them and now release the band’s first album. 2014 also saw Cilver land a spot on Revolver magazine’s Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock Tour alongside bands like Sick Puppies, Lacuna Coil, and Eyes Set to Kill. With a line-up completed by bassist Josh Pillbox and guitarist Ramsey Modiri, Cilver is now poised to spark their busiest and most successful year yet with Not The End Of The World, and a collection of songs seemingly as much inspired by the founding duo’s experiences of being first-generation immigrants and life in the last days of communist rule in Romania as well as the hard journey to the point they are at now.

The album opens with Break Free and quickly has ears and intrigue involved as an opening vine of guitar is swiftly joined by crispy beats and the effect laced vocals of Preotu. A few more eager seconds sees the song in clear view and enticing limbs and imagination with its wall of imposing riffs and thumping rhythms. That initial hook still beckons within the now tempestuous climate and roar of the song with Preotu only impressing more and more with every syllable shared. Major surprises maybe less noticeable within the song but it has the body and spirit bouncing with infectious ease whilst blowing hard with a fresh breath of energy and sound.

Cilver_NTEOTW_Cover_RingMasterReview The great start continues with I’m America, the first single from and teaser for the album released at the tail of last year. From the off, the song has a gentle but devilish swagger accentuated by Preotu’s voice, a swing which really catches alight within a handful of seconds as grooves entwine the catchy rhythmic enticement badgering ears. Again there is something thickly recognisable about the track yet an element which seems to only add to the bluesy groove fest of anthemic dexterity and creative tenacity. The song simply beguiles ears and appetite, using the listener’s body like a puppeteer though it is soon outshine by the excellent Headstone, a song with toxic grooves which just seduce the imagination. There is a touch of Sick Puppies to the song but of the three so far, it is the most unique and in turn striking proposal so far with Preotu’s vocals glorious and again almost stealing all the limelight from the superb sonic and rhythmic craft on offer.

Razorblade romps in with creative and physical energy to the fore, a zeal just as open in the darker prowling moments that frequent this ear gripping proposition. With its predacious rock ‘n’ roll lit by a host of fiery hooks and a wonderfully unpredictable invention, the track marks another pinnacle in the lofty creative landscape of the album; a success emulated by the less invasive and irritable but just as dramatic and compelling Afterlife. Arguably the most lyrically evocative proposal yet on the release with Lyazidi’s keys bringing a haunting and vivacious beauty to the emerging sonic blaze, the song captivates as it reveals more of the diversity in the band’s songwriting and hard rock bred sound.

Rich melancholic strings and poetic keys open up the following power ballad Frozen, Preotu’s presence almost siren-esque in her range of vocal expression and emotive theatre, whilst its successor, It’s My Life, is a growling incitement of defiance and attitude carrying punk irritability to its chest thumping rock ‘n’ roll. Both tracks increasingly incite with every listen, as does the album, though each time they get eclipsed by the soaring roar of Bleed For You. Vocally and atmospherically, the track is a fire of temptation, emotionally crackling as rhythms snap and sonic enterprise flame around the heart bred outpouring of Preotu.

In My Head has the air boiling next, the track as powerful and irresistible as the first time it tempted ears three years back. It’s infectiousness is virulent and confrontation bracing, whilst the imagination fuelling it is rarely surpassed within Not The End Of The World, or indeed other similarly styled releases in recent times.

The album is concluded by the galvanic adventures of firstly Behind These Eyes and finally Not Afraid. The first of the two is a more expectations satisfying encounter but heftily pleasing whilst the closer is as much punk as it is hard rock and a fierce and memorable stomp to close things up on.

Not The End Of The World is an album which leaves you alive with energy and spirit; it might not be the most unique but for a rousing, breathless, and thrilling experience, it and Cilver stand as an unreserved recommendation.

Not The End Of The World is released April 29^th via eOne; physically @ http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_music_1?ie=UTF8&field-artist=Cilver&search-alias=music and digitally @ https://cilver.lnk.to/NotTheEndOfTheWorld