Cyntia with no “h” - when searching, you can expect to have to click links saying “Search only for ‘Cyntia’?” Otherwise you get everything but them. But well worth the search.
Cyntia is a phonetic form of an English pronunciation of the name Cynthia, which is supposed to be another name for the goddess Artemis.
They spend more time doing PowerPop/Rock oriented stuff rather than metal oriented compared to the majority of others in this series. Fun though. Variety I like. Good roadtrip music. And how cool is it for your lead singer to be named Saki?
Saki has a mostly natural sounding vocal style, comfortable to hear. When she lets loose the volume, it almost always sounds effortless. It soars.
And - she has the ability to use a bit of vibrato without overdoing it. That is vital to listenability for me. I can handle none or a little. Overdo and I feel like running for the exit. Saki wins.
And the band is great, top-level musicianship, with its own mix of traditional rock and metal (plus the aforementioned PowerPop), sometimes traditional Japanese elements, and occasional other touches pulled from the middle east, from jazz... Their quality seems to be more the norm than not of the Japanese rock/metal groups who make it onto YouTube, really. Some examples -
Endless World - Playing a smaller club, Saki very casual in T-shirt and shorts, doing a cute childlike chorus, yet with solid strong instrumental work...
More dressed up and rocking a bit harder at Blaze, a bigger venue with flashing lights, et cetera:
At Blaze, Part 2 - more intense, more metal elements included now and then:
One of their more metallic rockers, “Through the Fire and Desire”
Another reminder of how much fun Japanese groups have with the stronger rock and metal tunes. I gotta learn more of the language...
“Ride on Time” - I mentioned rockin’ road music, right? Or dancing, whatever.
GeAr - Kickin’ hard rock and Saki leading “the wave” all in one song... I like.
A rock anthem of sorts, originally released in 2013 - and, Ayano gets mobile with an Edgar Winter style keyboard-with-strap -
Return to Myself ~ Shinai, Shinai, Natsu
Green Eyed Monster
Saki – Vocals
Yui – Guitars, Chorus
Ayano – Keyboards, Piano, Chorus
Azu - Bass, Chorus
Natsume – Drums, Percussion, Chorus (Support)
Their music runs from heavy rock to well, pretty much pop. Being one of the few bands I’m reviewing in this series who is signed to a major recording label is probably an influence.
In 2015, previous drummer Kanoko Matsukawa left following the widely disrespected “Woman” album (many considered it fluff). She had co-founded the group in 2011 with lead guitarist Yui.
They apparently realized how far astray they had gone and came back with a stronger sound on “Urban Night” in late 2016, followed by the “Urban Night” promo tour going into 2017 . It looks like Natsume played “support” drums for them but isn’t officially a member? The band website has a picture of the other four as the main banner and that’s it.
They are said to be on hiatus as of January 2018. Reason given was Yui had a health problem.
Since Natsume’s main gig with Raise a Suilen took off and she became less available about then, that MIGHT have been a factor too.
I would really like to see (and hear) Cyntia regroup and continue.
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| Cyntia Urban Nights promo pic, less Natsume |
Their site
Their Encyclopedia Metallium page, doesn’t mention Natsume
Same site, page on Kanoko
The Wiki schtick. Ignores the work of Natsume.
Natsume’s blog. Not terribly current, but it is showing her playing for Cyntia through December 17, 2017, under the “Schedule” tab (also the “Media” tab shows the cover of the Cyntia “Urban Night” DVD among other things). Then I see names like Raychelle, The Third, Shazna going as far as April 2018. I see references on her Facebook etc. to “Raise a Suilen”. A short review of that group will be following soonly.
Natsume’s Instagram
And her Facebook photos, including concert posters, show her with Cyntia. So this is the correct Natsume.
Drumming demo with disassembly and reassembly of a snare drum. Explaining it in Japanese of course.
Okay. Done. Will pick up with “Raise a Suilen” next, because of the Natsume connection.
J
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