Cydia – Victims of System

Cydia represents the second time that I have come across a band that is virtually unheard of (in the English-speaking part of the internet, anyway). After quite a bit of digging, however, I managed to find the bands Russian Facebook page (or rather, its equivalent on another platform). Through this page, and quite a bit of effort (the most of which resulting from me not understanding a word of Russian) I reached the conclusion that Victims of System is, in fact, the second full-length from this Melodic Death Metal quartet. And while I cannot speak long or in great detail as to the contents of the lyrics (again, it is in a language that is virtually indecipherable for me), then the music is something that I understand: Powerful, rhythmic melodies, followed by equally rhythmic paced growls, and only occasionally accompanied by a guitar solo or two. Throughout the entirety of the record is also a heavy emphasis on keyboards playing several synthesized tunes, which help reinforce the overall Melodic feel. No single track present upon Victims of System shows off this better than ”Имитация Жизни” (English translation: Imitation of Life), since it manages to show off a textbook example of how to combine synthesizers, guitars and growls to create a blast of memories back to the early 2000’s, where bands such as Soilwork and Arch Enemy began to build momentum. Sure, Cydia might not add a lot of new to the genre, but they still managed to keep the flame burning, adding Victims of System to the apparently ever-increasing arsenal that if the Melodic Death Metal scene. As a matter of fact, I would not have been surprised that I would have heard from this band far ealier, had the lyrics been in English, and if the band was based in Sweden, like many of their musical counterparts. That aside, I do not see either of these as being necessary for Cydia to rise out of relative obscurity and into full-blown fame throughout the world: The four Russians are very talented musicians, and they have obviously studied their chosen genre intensely in order to make their own version of it. Sure, they offer nothing really new – But they still have enough of a feel about them to be themselves, and memorable in their own right.

Recommended for fans of Soilwork, Arch Enemy and mid In Flames.

https://vk.com/cydiametalband