29 Apr 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Cian - EP Review: All New Ways Of Life

22 Mar 2024 // A review by Peter K Malthus

All New Ways Of Life is the introductory offering from Wellington-based Hardcore Metal outfit, Cian. Connor Matthew (Guitar, Vocals), Navah Chapman (Guitar), Dylan Jonkers (Bass, Vocals) and Zed Ramsay (Drums) have delivered four raging slabs of blistering-hot Metal on this EP and are hungry to take over the world with their punishing, riff-laden sound.

First up in this aural assault is the title track, lyrically based in looking at life through the lens of anxiety... only to overcome, triumph, and start anew. A brief guitar intro leads into a fast-paced gut-punch of a song, frequently jarringly in-your-face, but also including moments of strong melodic understanding. A very powerful message of self-belief. Reveries is the first song that Cian wrote collectively, and again has a worthy message delivered with gut-wrenching emotion. It's a metaphorical journey of finding the dead body of someone known and loved, only to realize that the person might still be alive, had feelings been spoken out instead of kept private. To quote the band, regarding this song, "There are many things stopping us from showing kindness. Simply, forget it all. Show love to that person who needs it". Indeed. The vocals are paired with a crushing, chugging backing that shows off the deft prowess of Cian's musicianship. 

The third track is titled Thoughts Of Loneliness, lyrically comparing that feeling to being frozen inside, and musically an intense track. The discomfort of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and all of their despicable bedfellows is ably captured in moments of raging fury, and of screaming heartache, leaving the listener in no doubt that the writer has experienced these emotions to their utmost depth.

Never Settle rounds things off, being a plea to the entirety of the human race to work actively together to save our environment and planet. The despair at seeing a world potentially on its last legs is perfectly captured and portrayed, right down to the slowing of the end riff, as if to demonstrate a world ceasing to spin...then ceasing to exist. "Never Settle" could also be the band's motto, having declared that they will never settle until they've achieved their goals.

Look out, world. Cian are coming for you, and they aren't accepting excuses. I'd jolly well pull my socks up if I were you. We only get one planet, and Cian are set to make sure it's well tended to... under their domination, of course. 


 

About Cian

Cian, from Wellington, New Zealand, deliver an onslaught of Hardcore brilliance. With members Connor Matthew (Guitars, Vocals), Navah Chapman (Guitars), Dylan Jonkers (Bass, Vocals), and Zed Ramsay (Drums, Vocals), these four have forged a path marked by heavy, powerful riffs, intricate songwriting, and an electrifying stage presence.

At the core of Cian's music is the compositions filled with complexity and aggression. Cian's music is an experience defined by the impact of their songwriting and thought-provoking lyrics. Their live performances are a testament to their energetic musicianship, captivating audiences by giving their all every time. Cian stands tall, pushing boundaries with every beat and riff. With heavy hearts and a commitment to their craft, Cian is set to leave a mark on the global metal scene.


Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Cian

Releases

All New Ways of Life
Year: 2024
Type: EP

Other Reviews By Peter K Malthus

Gig Review: Dragon @ Town Hall, Christchurch - 18/04/2024
20 Apr 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Dragon is a name long since synonymous with rock & roll in Australasia, and the band is currently enjoying an 8-date tour in celebration of their 50th anniversary. Starting April 12th in Invercargill, the tour will work its way slowly up the country, to wind up in Auckland on April 27th.
Read More...
Sounds Escape - Album Review: Midnight Drive
18 Apr 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Sounds Escape is the solo project of Logan Wedgwood, an Auckland based drummer, guitarist, and composer. Sounds Escape started coming into being during lockdown, and having released two EPs since 2022, Midnight Drive is his debut full length album.
Read More...
Jackie Bristow - Jackie B And The Mini Band - EP Review: Summertime
22 Mar 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Jackie Bristow has had a career on a continuous upward trajectory, since being discovered at the tender age of eight, in her primary school's choir. In the time since then, she relocated to Australia, and then on to Nashville in the USA, regarded by many as that nation's "music capital".
Read More...
The Mons Whaler - Album Review: Hold My Gun
29 Feb 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
The Mons Whaler were formed in the Taranaki area, by Hemi Coates (vocals & guitar), Andre Peri (percussion & backing vocals) and Phil Hoskin (bass, guitar backing vocals). Multi-talented Courtnay Low joined forces with them, on keys, backing vocals and lead guitar.
Read More...
Empyrvore - Album Review: Nadir: Empyrean
12 Feb 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Nadir: Empyrean is the latest release from Wellington-based Empyrvore, and their first full length album. It has been a labour of love for its two creators, Jared and Mike, who followed the complete DIY path for recording, mixing, mastering, and releasing...
Read More...
David Edwards - Album Review: Electric (Yang) / Acoustic (Yin) - 2CD Compilation 1998-2023
30 Dec 2023 // by Peter K Malthus
Fiffdimension is the name under which Dave Edwards records and performs, having released the debut album Scratched Surface back in 1998. He's certainly been busy since then; I think I counted around 40 releases listed on his website.
Read More...
King Cruel - EP Review: Creeper
22 Dec 2023 // by Peter K Malthus
Creeper is the debut EP from King Cruel, a 'Psychedelic Stoner Doom Metal' trio from Auckland. According to Encyclopaedia Metallum, the line up consists of Evan Cooper on drums, Josh Hodgson on guitars, and Luke Oram on vocals.
Read More...
Hecates Cult - Album Review: The Path Of Night
14 Dec 2023 // by Peter K Malthus
The Path Of Night by Otautahi Christchurch band Hecate's Cult was recorded, mixed, and mastered by the utter weapons at Audioganic Studios, and it's pretty easy to see why so many local artists are queuing up to have them do the same. Hecate's Cult are a bare-bones three piece, with no backing vocals, backing tracks, samples, or anything other than the sounds produced by drums, a bass, a guitar, and a voice.
Read More...
View All Articles By Peter K Malthus

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • FORTNIGHT
    Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone
  • TOO SWEET
    Hozier
  • DOWN BAD
    Taylor Swift
  • THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT
    Taylor Swift
  • SO LONG, LONDON
    Taylor Swift
  • I CAN DO IT WITH A BROKEN HEART
    Taylor Swift
  • MY BOY ONLY BREAKS HIS FAVORITE TOYS
    Taylor Swift
  • BUT DADDY I LOVE HIM
    Taylor Swift
  • FLORIDA!!!
    Taylor Swift feat. Florence And The Machine
  • WHO'S AFRAID OF LITTLE OLD ME?
    Taylor Swift
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem