Metal crazies Cyhyraeth got themselves started, played shows to get the word out and kept at it, going on to release their debut EP "Disgraced" and later debut full-length "Servant of the Eternal Fire". These guys have no signs of slowing down but continuing with more shows, more music, in a never ending cycle! Guitarist Alex Jack discusses the band's debut release, shows, and more.
1.Can I get a backstory on the band/ band biography?
Alex: Cyhyraeth was founded by Jessica McCain(Vocals) and Alex Jack(Guitar, Vocals) in mid 2011. Shortly after moving from Albuquerque to Dallas they met Zach Palmer(Bass) and Kenny Sisk(Drums). They soon took to the local metal scene playing shows everywhere they could, and made an impression on the scene in the process.
In early January 2013 Cyhyraeth went to record their debut EP through Iron Ridge Studios with producer Ryan Ragus. The EP "Disgraced" was released on June 21st 2013 to a huge success. But even before recording their EP, they realized their music could be taken to a much higher level with a second guitarist. Shortly after the release, Zachary Marsden(Guitar) filled the missing void.
The release of their EP helped them continue building the momentum that inevitably gained the attention of Stephen Murphy and Anthony Lopardo of Westfall Recording Co. in New York.
Knowing Westfall would bring them to a new level in their music career Cyhyraeth sought them out to record their first full length album "Servant To The Fire" in early 2014. The process not only helped them achieve what they wanted musically, but it redefined who they were as a band.
2. How did you guys come up with your band name? What makes you the Cyhyraeth?
Alex: When we were still in New Mexico we formed a project with our first drummer Skyler Hardy. We were trying to find the perfect name that fit us because we wanted something original that no one has done before. After a few weeks of tossing ideas around Skyler suggests the name Cyhyraeth. Immediately we asked what it meant and he said that a Cyhyraeth is the scream of a banshee typically before an epidemic or disaster. As soon as we heard what it meant we knew the name fit us perfectly because it was weird, original, and a bad ass name.
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Alex: We are based out of Dallas Texas and we have a great local scene here. When we first started playing shows around the DFW area there really weren't too many venues around, but now we have a ton of venues and every show has a great crowd. This mainly from local promotion/booking companies like Torch Entertainment and Dallas Metal Scene putting on a ton of great local shows. There really are way too many local bands we love playing with, but few bands we would suggest around the area are: Ashes of the Forgotten, Color of Aum, Citadel, Heavy Hangs the Albatross, In Search of Sight and so many more!
4. What bands have influenced your band and its sound?
Alex: The biggest influence all around would be Trivium since pretty much all members are really big fans, but after that every member really starts to verge into different directions around the metal spectrum. To name a few from every member would be: Gojira, Devin Townsend, The Faceless, Periphery, The Black Dahlia Murder, In Flames, Disturbed, Rings of Saturn, Animals As Leaders, etc. Like I said it’s all over the spectrum.
5. What lyrical theme do you guys use in your music? What message do you want to send?
Alex: We are actually very varied when we write our lyrics. We have lyrical themes varying from the apocalypse, to werewolves, to depression, to even video games. We really just take the music and let it tell us the story and we write that down in our lyrics.
6. Why did you see "Servant to the Fire" to be a good fit as a single and video of your choosing?
Alex: “Servant to the Fire” was actually one of our favorite songs to play before we went in to record the album. While at Westfall Studios as the song came together we loved it more and more. We thought that the song gave a perfect impression for the entire album since it showed almost all of the elements we have across our album. All in all it is just a kick ass song and we love playing it!
7. "Servant To The Fire" why should metalheads and people alike check out this album? If you could think of "one" reason which is what and why?Alex: We think this album has so much variation to it that metalheads from every genre can find something in our style that will make them love our album. We cover from very light and melodic to heavy and fast as well as thrashy. We think our style also embodies a lot of old thrash metal with a modern sound so even old school thrashers can find something about it. If we can say one reason it’s because we incorporated so many types of metal that every listener should find at least one song they will like!
8. What was the recording process like this time around? Was there anything different that happened or was it the same old studio thing?
Alex: Recording this album was an amazing experience. We were approached by Stephen Murphy and Anthony Lopardo of Westfall Studios in New York to record our album with them. We decided to take the risk and flew out there in late March of 2014. The entire experience was relaxing, and a completely different feel than we’d ever had from recording a song or and album. Stephen and Anthony definitely took our style to the next level and gave us exactly what we were looking for as producers, as well as how our album came together. They actually acted as producers and critiqued our music and pushed us to record the songs as best as they could be, which to us had never happened in any other recording experience. They are amazing people and we highly suggest them for anyone looking to record their album!
9. Can you tell us how this album differs from the previous ones? What can we expect and what is the message behind it?
Alex: This album is actually our first full length album. We had an EP before, but it was really more of a demo of our style. This album takes what we started in our EP “Disgraced” and pushes it to the next level. As far as themes go as stated before we really vary from song to song, and we think everyone should listen to them to appreciate the lyrics behind it!
10. How would you say that the title and album art relate to the music on the album?
Alex: We took the idea of our EP “Disgraced”’s album art of an angel falling from grace and decided to show the demon that threw him from heaven. The song “Servant to the Fire” is about a demon possessing a girl so we thought the demon would fit the overall feel of the album.
11. What's your favorite song on the album right now?
Alex: The songs vary from member to member, but we all come back and really stand behind and really love “Aftermath”. It’s our ballad if you will of the album, but we think it really shows our musicianship perfectly and it gives a great contrast to the heavier thrashier rest of the album.
12. What does "Servant To The Fire" mean to you all?
Alex: “Sevrant to the Fire” is a demon from hell that in our album art is pushing the army from hell into heaven during the war in heaven. It can also mean the songs interpretation of a demon possessing a girl and using her to kill people and rise more demons from hell.
13. How about shows and touring, what are the plans?
Alex: Shows and touring are always in the works, unfortunately we don’t have anything solid just yet, but we will be hitting the scene hard this year so keep an eye out for us coming near you!
14. What other plans do you have for the rest of this year leading into the next year?Alex: Well 2015 just started and we plan on doing a few tours around Texas as well as the surrounding states, so we plan to keep really busy and really push the Cyhyraeth name.
15. Any last words for the friends and fans out there?
Alex: Thank you guys so much for supporting us through everything we have been through! We love all of you guys and know that we would not be able to do as much as we do without so, so thank you so much and be prepare for even more from Cyhyraeth! We have so much more to show you guys!!!!
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