A very good glam album.

Greece is not known as a hotbed of Glam Rock, so it’s quite refreshing to see it injecting new blood into the scene. After a few years of preparation, Cyanide 4 have now got round to releasing their debut album, and it seems that it’s actually been worth the wait, despite the fact that they go by the chucklesome monikers of G.A Sinn, Johnny Slut, Nasty George and Alex Rated. Tch… those glam lads and their silly names, eh boys? When I was a lad, band members had proper names, like Blackie Lawless, Pepsi Tate and, um, Bruce Bruce… never mind.

Anyway, it wouldn’t be stretching things to say straight off that ‘Everyday Is A Masquerade’ is the perfect album for anyone waiting for Davy Vain to get off his leather clad arse and make some more music. Not only is the music very reminiscent of classic Vain, but G.A. Sinn is an octave away from being Davy’s vocal twin, helped by some very well placed backing vocals that call on the ‘No Respect’ period of Vain themselves.

Whatever the influences, however, there’s no getting away from the fact that Cyanide 4 have crafted a very good glam album here. Aside from two (pretty good) ballads, it’s stuffed with high octane, catchy glam rock that doesn’t care if you think it’s not cool any more. Stick the band alongside the likes of Crazy Lixx or Crashdiet and they will certainly hold their own. It’s not perfect, as a couple of songs don’t quite hit the high standard they’ve set for themselves, but all in all ‘Everyday Is A Masquerade’ is a first class debut from a band that should be embraced by anyone who likes their glam rock sleazy as possible and stuffed with excellent melodies. If you ever liked Vain, you will love Cyanide 4.

Alan Holloway