|
Achard, Cyril:
Confusion
 French
guitarist Cyril Achard is gradually becoming a
world-class player, already appearing on
instrumental-only collaborations with drummer Mike
Terrana and a Jason Becker tribute album, as well as
fronting his own vocal progressive metal band,
Morbid Feeling. Now comes a reissue of his debut
solo album, 1997’s Confusion. Originally released by
Musea, Confusion consists of eight solid
instrumentals with French titles performed with two
backing musicians. While some tracks ("Des
Illusions," "Pharaons" and "Correspondance") recall
Yngwie Malmsteen, others ("Hiros," "Barock" and "Neufrage,"
a piece dedicated to fellow guitarist Becker)
contain enough diverse elements to prevent monotony
from setting in. Plus, Lion Music has added three
intriguing bonus tracks to this reissue, including
one demo that dates back to 1993.
Achard is more of a finesse player than a
technical one, and his music flows with both purpose
and restraint. A wanker, he is not.
Added: December 13th 2002
Reviewer:
Michael Popke
Score:
www.seaoftranquility.org |
Cyril
Achard – “Confusion”
Confusion is an outstanding first solo effort
from this French guitar virtuoso. Originally released in 1997, Lion
music has re-mastered and re-released this awesome CD in it’s
entirety along with three new tracks. The diverse sound scapes found
throughout Confusion provide us with a glimpse into this musical
protégé’. Achard displays his amazing skills as a composer and
guitar technician throughout this all instrumental masterpiece.
The CD is packed with some of the finest and
widely diverse fusion/prog guitar playing ever recorded. Second
only to Achards guitar virtuosity, is his keen sense of unique
musical composition. All 11 tracks showcase Achards stylistic
musical vision, a vision that leaps from jazz to fusion to prog and
back, usually within each individual track. The great thing about
Confusion is its ability to go completely over the top while still
maintaining musical cohesiveness. Songs like “Correspondence”,
“Celebration” and “Naufrage” combine some of the CDs finer moments –
illustrating Achards diverse influences.
Cyril has complete control over his
instrument and showcases himself as a superior player by providing
some fresh prospective on Jazz, Fusion and Prog influenced licks and
structures.
Confusion is an intense, brilliantly complex
CD. Cyril Achard should not go unnoticed. His talent is awesome and
his vision is fresh. You owe it to yourself to pick this one up!!
Guitar Mania
http://www.guitarmania.ca
Cyril Archard’s Morbid
Feeling - ...In Inconstancia Constans
Guitar virtuoso, Cyril Archard, is the driving force behind this
five piece progressive metal band. The group’s members
include Eric Lebailly on drums, Franck Hermanny on bass, Patrick
Peek on vocals, and Jean-Marc Layani on
keyboards. Special guest apperance: Tony MacAlpine, graces the album
on three tracks playing keyboards. Cyril is a
guitarist that draws his influences from jazz to metal with blues,
and classical music. He is an accomplished musician
that is currently a permanent teacher in a famous French music
school of Bordeaux: Le Ciam.
Cyril Archard’s :: "In Inconstantia Constans", offers up a silver
platter of technical proficiency that is similar in styles
like Dream Theater and Symphony X. It is wonderfully executed and
intelligently written. I was also quite impressed
by the clean vocals of Patrick Peeks and the tally of superb
musicians that is offered up on this album. There are eight
quintessential tracks on this disc that offer the listener a full
range of sound. From virtuoso guitar playing, fantastic
keyboards, great bass line and superb drumming. The result is fifty
minutes of intricate and complex passages that are
just ear candy for the progressive metal fan.
"In Inconstancia Constans" is an intense and technically complex
album. This album is a powerful progressive metal
album that will appeal to fans of Dream Theater, Shadow Gallery and
Dali’s Dilemma. This album is excellent and is a
must have in your CD collection.
Rating: Ten keyboards out of ten.
Reviewer: George Roldan
prog4you.com
Review date: 01/15/02
Cyril Archard¹s Morbid
Feeling - ...In Inconstancia Constans
Released: 2001 (Lion Music)
Rating: 3/5
Reviewer: Rick
Up and coming progressive metal guitarist Cyril Archard was born in
France in 1972. He picked up the guitar at the age of 12 and for the
next 7 years studies jazz. In 1991 he joined the group Arrakeen for
their tour with Marillion and then preformed on their second CD
MOSAIQUE.In 1994 he joined the band Quarters Nord and also joined
the faculty of guitar school Ibanez in Marseille, France. Archard
released his first solo album in 1997 called CONFUSION. In December
of 2000 Archard appeared on the American compilation of guitar
player GUITARAPALOOZA VOL.2. Late in 2001 Archard released his
latest album. he is joined on the disc by Patrick Peek: vocals, Eric
Lebailly: drums, Franck Hermanny: bass, Jean-Marc Layani: keyboards
and special guest Tony MacAlpine who contributes guest keyboards on
3 songs.
In the days between my first listen to this Cd and my writing this
review my opinion of this CD has changed. It seemed at first, upon
my initial listen to be kind of bland. Was I wrong. After a few more
spins the disc really grabbed me. Archard is a first rate guitarist
and though some might call it overkill, his guitar is all over this
CD. Highlights are "Fields of Graves", "Empty Vow" and "Fallen From
Grace". Tony MacAlpine does a great job with the keyboard solos on
"Empty Vow" and "Fields of Graves". Great playing that really added
an extra dimension to the tracks.
One thing is certain. Cyril Archard is an excellent guitarist. His
stamp is all over the disc. At some points I think a bit too much.
The CD falls into the trap that I think many progressive bands fall
into, the "how many notes and changes can I put in this song". That
is only a small problem though. The material is for the most part
top notch and Archard has surrounded himself with some great
musicians. If you are into prog metal then definitely check out
Cyril Archard¹s Morbid Feeling. www.lionmusic.com
Cyril Archard’s Morbid
Feeling - ...In Inconstancia Constans
Morbid Feeling consists of the classic prog metal
5 piece configuration lead
by the guitar brain Cyril Achard who is putting his talents to good
use as
teacher in the famous French Music school of Bordeaux. Further
talents
appear in the form of Eric Labailly on drums, Frank Hermanny on bass
and
Patrick Peek on vocals. Jean-Marc Layani plays keyboards while
guitar hero
Tony MacAlpine displayed his equally good piano skills by
contributing
guitar solos on three of the eight songs.
When listening to the music alone it becomes very apparent that this
could
have become one of the (too) many instrumental prog metal releases
but ...In
Inconstancia Constans has vocals on seven of the eight tracks and
this is
what lifts Morbid Feeling above most of the current releases in the
genre.
Morbid Feeling grabs the listeners attention with odd time
signatures, lots
of breaks and theme changes in each and every song. Cyril controls
this
highly technical cabaret with melody swamped choruses and bridges
that turn
partial segments of the songs into real earworms. If not for the
music
alone, it is the quality of play that has me coming back to this
release
again and again.
So, "what is it like?" you may ask. Well, I find it very hard to get
around
the Dream Theater comparison but fans of Magna Carta artists like
Dali's
Dilemma or Ice Age should be equally impressed. In the dire need to
throw up
some dirt on Morbid Feeling, I think Cyril could have employed
someone to
help with the production, since the still very good self-produced
sound does
not match the quality of play. The same goes for the artwork and
layout of
the disc, which could have been more elaborate and the booklet
thicker than
just 4 pages.
Cyril Achard is only 20 years of age and has a long and promising
career
ahead of him so go and buy Modbid Feeling to get him on his way.
- Peter Fundeis [10-12-01]
=====================
 |
Cyril
Archard's Morbid Feeling
"...In
constamcia constans"
Reviewed by: Nick Martinelli
www.theshredzone.com
6/21/02 |
| Released 2001
Buy it at these great sites:
Official Website:
http://www.cyrilachard.com/
Musicians:
Cyril Archard- Guitars
Eric Lebailly- Drums
Franck Hermanny- Bass
Jean-Marc Layani- Keyboards
Patrick Peek- Vocals
Guest Apperance:
Tony MacAlpine: keyboards solos on songs 3,4,7. |
Track Listing:
- Alone Among My Friends
- Fallen From Grace
- Empty Vow
- Fields of Graves
- Exile is Over
- The Deep One's
- Be My Thing
- The Lucky One
Cyril Arhard's Morbid feeling is a progressive metal
fan's dream come true. If your looking to get into
other progressive metal bands besides Dream Theater,
then this is the band for you. Great song writing,
powerful guitars, and harmonious vocals just begin to
describe this prog outfit, led by a French guitar
veteran Cyril Achard. He's very technical and complex
guitar player that will truly impress and inspire your
playing and musical tastes. As a reviewer I am very
skeptical when I get progressive CDs to review because
the majority of prog bands are DT clones. Morbid
Feeling never came close. Their music is totally
original and unique compared to the rest of the prog
genre. I found this CD to be a major must buy for any
progressive fan. I actually gained a new respect for
progressive music after reviewing this album. The music
is super melodic and you'll be completely blown away by
the song writing and musicianship.
Track one "Alone Among My Friends" opens with a real odd
beat drum intro that is a perfect lead into the main
verse of the song. Right away you get hit with an
amazing mini solo at 00:39. The vocal performance by
Patrick Peek was amazing. He covers many vocal ranges.
Peek's voice was the perfect one for this type of
music. Along with that, his pitch is impressive. I
really liked the lyrical content of the song as well. A
major highlight was the lead guitar and keyboard trade
off section. Cyril's guitar playing is hot. He writes
some of the most complex sounding guitar riffs I've ever
heard, hands down. Not to mention his leads are non
conventional. He plays with a more "out there
feeling." Achard is not your standard rock guitarist,
he's a prog guitarist, and there is a huge difference.
I also liked the acoustic break near the later portion
of the song, it really added more depth to the tune.
Track two "Fallen From Grace" opens with a
amazing atmospheric keyboard and guitar intro. Cyril
hits you with a super soulful lead that is real
soothing. This song has a huge vibe and the layering
and texturing was very evolved, enhancing the song
nicely. The vocal performance was nothing short of
superb. I also loved Jean-Marc Layani's keyboard
playing throughout the track. It really helped to
accentuate passages in the song. Along with that, the
guitar playing is simply inspirational. Arhard's
playing is smokin' in this tune. I think he rips out a
little more as well. Keep your ears peeled for his fast
chops and melodic soaring leads. Check out 4:54 - 5:38
for a neoclassical feeling lead break that left me
speechless! Hear those arpeggios?
"Empty Vow" is a slower number that had special
guest shredder Tony MacAlpine playing keyboards. This
song is ultra melodic and smooth. Check out the soulful
opening lead. Its only a few notes, but they say so
much. This song is pumped full of amazing Cyril leads,
so pay close attention to each one. This track has a
larger than life feel. I also enjoyed the complex drum
work of Eric Lebailly. Now check out the awesome rhythm
guitar section from 2:20 - 2:30. By far its not super
complex, but the clean chord progression was priceless.
The main lead follows a few moments later with some
impressive speed licks and phrasing. Around the 3:20
marks the song's deep dive into progressive madness.
Check out MacApline's keyboard shredding at 4:08, need I
say more?
Song four "Fields of Graves" is a medium grooved song
that has a powerful undertow and inspiring lyrics. I
really liked the track a lot. The composition was
amazing. It took a few different turns for sure. This
is one song I put on repeat a few times in order to
consume the real life-force of of it. Flawless
performances and amazing writing skills made the song a
huge success.
"Exile is Over" track five opens with another
melodic keyboard intro, accompanied this time buy clean
guitars and bass. After that, you get his with a very
heavy progressive rhythm guitar riff. Playing like this
really bring home the progressive feel of the music. I
also really enjoyed the walking bass lines of Franck
Hermanny. I always give high amounts of credit to
bassists that step outside the bounds of normal follow
the leader bass playing. Franck is a bassist who
follows his own beat. His bass lines always stand out
and demand attention. This song is packed with plenty
of shred for sure so get ready for the onslaught! Also
please check out the great lead at 4:00, its a priceless
melodic solo for sure.
"The Deep One's" is the instrumental number on
this great album. If your looking for an over the top
progressive shred fest than a song like this should be
embodied into you mind forever. The guitar playing is
phenomenal and your going be saying "what the hell did
he just do" after ever part. I guarantee. The other
performances are amazing as well. The drums lock in and
drive the song along. Keyboards are a great accent and
also keep the feel of the song moving. Franck's bass
playing is real hot in this one, again hitting you with
some wild standout lines. Another thing worth
mentioning is the composition of the song. This one
really takes progressive instrumental music to the
limits and soars past them. I think you'll really enjoy
how this song was built. It is very complex to say the
least. I'd like to know how they write songs of this
magnitude.
Song seven "Be My Thing" is a melodic number with a
different feel to it. This song is defiantly the radio
single. Sing along lyrics drench the song's melody
lines and main vibe. The Guitar playing is a little
more free spirited and happy sounding as well. There
are so many guitar highlights to mention I recommend
listening to them a few times, to catch them all.
Lastly "The Lucky One" brings the album to a
close with a calmer feel. The beginning keyboard lines
are very soothing. Along with that Cyril hits you some
priceless progressive lead lines. Also check out he
bass performance, more walking lines! This number has
a huge vibe, and I know you'll fall in love with it
after hearing just once as I did.
Looking back I'd have to say that reviewing this
cd brought back my appreciation of progressive music.
They are by far no prog clone. Morbid Feeling is a
progressive outfit that will amaze you every lick and
every second. The musicianship is over the top and
exciting. Technical song writing just begins to
describe my true feelings for this music. Its very
complex, and I would like to know the thought process
that went into it all. The recording and sound quality
is to die for. Everything is mixed well and the
production is priceless.
This album is defiantly for a fan of progressive
music and guitar playing. I know you'll fall in love
with the high energy progressive madness as I did.
Overall, I think everyone will enjoy the compositions
and performances. So drop by
Lion
Music and pick it up today. In closing, Morbid
Feeling is a progressive powerhouse that shouldn't go
unheard of. These guys have something new to bring to
the table and I look forward to the next release.
|
|
