GONE THROUGH YEARS

**Originally written for powerofmetal.dk**

Every once in a while, you come across an album that clings to you. It has everything you want in an album, and the band masters all of these elements. Every once in a while, you find an album that you will listen to for many years to come. Cyril's debut album, 'Gone Through Years' is just such an album for me. This debut album is thematically based on H.G. Wells' story 'The Time Machine'. Wells is my favorite author, so I was already onboard for that idea. On a side note, this album is 'thematically' based on the story, so don't expect a chronological presentation of events, but more of a study of the emotions that the traveler experiences.

Cyril comes from the ruins of a pop rock band of all things. Gabria was its name, and I'm glad they dissolved. Cyril represents music of a much more ambitious and sophisticated nature. The music is melodic prog rock in the vein of Pink Floyd and maybe Big Big Train, too. However, they have more of a melancholy atmosphere, so neo-prog seems to be an influence here as well. The guitar work is great with some powerful lines, and the drumming is wonderfully appropriate and diverse. However, this band is not afraid to include other instruments, such as the clarinet, sax, and mandolin. This eclecticism adds so much to the album, from awesome sax solos to constant melody. I also must note the great male and female vocals: They are perfect for this theme.

'Gone Through Years' immediately wowed me. The music is grand, but the atmospheres and emotive moments are things you won't find in most music. I was highly impressed with the exploration of time travel's effects on the traveler, and his heartbreak for his sweet Alice. Imagine, for a moment, that you experience the death of all your friends, all you know, and the love of your life. Imagine, for a second, that you witness the end of the world, and discover the grand futility and frivolity of our world. Those emotions and more are packed into this work of art. My favorite tracks include 'Through Space and Time', 'Gone Through Years', 'Mentalscars', and 'Gate of Reflection'. These tracks represent a musical journey that invites you to become one with it: to get lost in the ambiance and sentiment.

Cyril has crafted an immense album here: One that has captured my imagination and my musical tastes. I cannot recommend this album enough, and I still can't believe this is a debut album! The music is tasteful and mature, and the lyrical content is inspiring and imaginative: You don't find that hand-in-hand very often.

German band CYRIL was formed in 2010 by former members of melodic rock band Gabria and a few musicians fairly well known to those who have kept track of the record label Cyril signed to, Progressive Promotion Records, which released their debut album "Gone through Years" in the spring of 2013.

Melodic progressive rock bordering on metal or vice versa may be a suitable manner in which to describe the contents of Cyril's debut album "Gone through Years". Music on the borderline of progressive rock and metal, accessible and melodic in nature and expression but with a nice harder edge to it. A plausible guess for a key audience should be those who enjoy the likes of early 80's Genesis and Ayreon both, as well as those who generally tend to like the music released through Progressive Promotion Records of course.

Cyril was formed in 2010 by former members of melodic rock band Gabria, who had previously released a couple of albums, but decided that they need to move in a different musical direction so recruited Larry B. as their new singer. Their debut album was recorded at the beginning of the year, and is thematically based on the story of the book 'The Time Machine' by H.G. Wells. Although it is a debut, one can tell that these guys have been working together for a long time as this is polished, layered, warm, inviting, and all that one would want from a crossover album as it brings in elements from many different areas and styles, maintaining a pop rock influence but bringing in so very much more as well.

It reminds me a lot of some of the albums that were coming out at the beginning of the Nineties, and there is more than a hint of Jadis in the guitarwork of Ralf Dietsch, with some wonderfully layered keyboards backing this up by Marek Arnold (who also provides some sax and clarinet to the album, which is a nice touch). Atmospheric and evocative, this moves from gentle piano through to hard rocking guitar whilst thematically making sense at all times. "Sweet Alice" starts as an almost flamenco number, bringing forth memories of the incredible Carmen (the band that John Glascock was in prior to Tull), but it all fits within the album as a whole. Solid, enjoyable, and packed full of great ideas topped with a real sense of class, this is a great debut. Let's hope we don't hve to wait too long for the next one. www.cyril-band.de

Easily overlooked but luckily revisited: Gone Through Years charmed me only at further listening - but what a spell!

It´s innocent beauty was not the most obvious thing at first and i didn´t expect this album to appeal to me in this intimate and touching way.

This magical journey muffles you with fluffy moments flowing into epic moods of deep desire, holding unique - yet overall harmonious - soundscapes within every single song. The warm vocals (at times reminding me of Gabriel) fit perfectly into the multi-facetted atmospheres of this gorgeous composition. With every single song being memorable and full of beautiful melodies, this piece of art creates an overall positive and soothing feeling with highlights of powerful determination.

If you like dwelling in a sea of cosy desires with uplifting hopefulness, you probably won´t be able to resist this spell for long and most likely lose your heart to this innocent little masterpiece.

4.7 / 5 electric Fluffycorns!

What a big surprise! Behind a rather common cover and name hides a true gem. All Genesis fans will enjoy this album. The vocals are very close to Gabriel's and Collins' but the refined melodies also echo the British band. Add a rich instrumentation (sax, clarinet, mandolin), some female vocals, a great concept and rich lyrics (inspired by Wells' "The Time Machine", more precisely a study of the emotions that the traveler experiences), a great variety of atmospheres, hints of Pink Floyd, of Supertramp and you'll have the recipe for a success. German band Cyril was formed in 2010 following the demise of mainstream rock band Gabria. Denis Strassburg (bass), Ralf Dietsch (guitars), Marek Arnold (keyboards) and Clemens Litschko (drums) were joined by Larry B. (vocals) to form this new band. What a brilliant idea! You don't believe me? Play the record to the average rock fan and watch his reaction. Wow! Highly recommended.

I must admit I fell in love with this CD as soon as I put it on. Highly emotional, melodically rich, a labor of love and powerful debut are some of the expressions that come in mind when I tried to define this record during the few last weeks when I head it in a daily basis. Although this is their first album under this name and with vocalist Larry B., the core members of the band comes from another combo called Gabria. And that might explains how they sound so tight and the compositions are so mature and strong.

The music of Gone Through Years is a progressive music that ties different styles together with seamless precision: styles as diverse as symphonic prog, jazz, flamenco, classical music and hard rock. Their former pop rock past make the presence felt by the strong hooks and their incredible sense of melody. Still Cyril is now a full fledge prog band: all the tracks have many twists and turns, mood and tempo swings, that won´t ever get them any pop radio time. Also, it seems that they based the album concept on H.G. Wells Time Machine book, but I´m not really sure. Anyway, the results are absolutely awesome, with a accessible sound that it is also daring and original. They don´t remind me of any other band I know.

What strikes me more on this CD is their combination of skillful playing, exquisite compositions and clever arrangements. Nothing is overdone here: every note seems to fall into the right place every time. The use of sax and clarinet (courtesy of their keyboardist Marek Arnold) is one of the finest since Supertramp´s heyday. Ralf Dietsch is a master of both electric and acoustic guitars, while singer Larry B deliver the words with passion and conviction. In fact Gone Through Years is so good is hard to point a highlight. During the past few weeks I heard the CD from start to finish without skipping single track all the time. The production is crystal clear: perfect for the complex and subtle music they deliver.

Rating: personally, I´d like to give this album a 5 star rating, but let´s be fair, it´s their first one and surely I hope they evolve into something even bigger. So, 4,5 stars is my final rating. This german band is a great find. If you like melodic progressive music with lots of personality, you cant´miss this one.

Highly recommended!

Another German project involving Marek Arnold of the Seven Steps to the Green Door, Toxic Smile etc. fame. Also shares the "gruffer Phil Collins" vocalist from Toxic Smile. This one is geared towards melodic rock style, accented by an occasional clarinet, sax or a classical guitar, but also venturing towards anthemic hard rock territory. A concept album inspired by the Time Machine novel of H.G.Wells. Almost sounds as if quintessentially English (what is more English than "oh my sweet Alice"?). A very amicable, and not-as-simple-as-it-looks listen, but one that you would probably not revisit too often, for the formula of starting pleasant and folkish before going into hard rock can get old.