ALBUM REVIEW: REQUIEM FOR A PIPE DREAM BY CYHRA
Reviewed by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
Release date 5 June 2026
Swedish melodic metal supergroup CYHRA, whose members feature Jake E (ex-Amaranthe) on lead vocals and keyboards, Jesper Strömblad (The Halo Effect, ex-In Flames) on rhythm guitar and bass, Euge Valovirta (ex-Shining) on lead guitar and bass, Marcus Sunesson (Engel, ex-The Crown) on guitar, and Alex Landenburg (Kamelot) on drums, release their fourth studio album ‘Requiem For A Pipe Dream’, that juxtaposes the ideas of endings and renewals in celebration of their 10-year anniversary as a band.
The album opens with the interwoven melodic soundscape framed with heavy guitar riffs and driving rhythms in ‘Bleed With Pride’ as “walls are torn down”. The tone of the album is set immediately, and it signals the lyrical emotional journey of exploring “every scar” and “wound” through each song on the album. The idea that every “scar is a story” is “wrapped within” experience and expansive melodies that will be the “compass” to a better place as every “high and low” in “pain” is traversed. The next song ‘Superman’ starts with a huge drum barrage as the chorus cuts in immediately and then the verses hit. It is a big rock track with soaring vocals, powerful drums, and a dynamic guitar solo. ‘Miss Me When I'm Gone’ has a more subdued start, and the vocals are great as the song breaks into a crescendo of a chorus. The synths are striking with the bright twinkling sounds that join the guitars and drums to deliver a melodic gem. The song is an album highlight, and you will miss it when it is gone.
The following song ‘Ghostbound’ is a more straightforward song with a traditional structure and heavy rock sound about that image of life and the “Mirror, mirror on the wall”. Jake E’s vocals are really good, the drumming from Alex Landenburg is superb, and the guitar work is intricate. ‘In The Centre Of A Miracle’ brings the big stadium sound, and it is a massive rock ballad. Cue the huge sing along and phone lights in the air moment! It’s very catchy! The next song ‘Skin From Bones’ lands with those drums and distinctive guitar riffs. It is a fast song with an intermezzo break of rapped lyrics in the middle of the song.
The soundscape of melodic Swedish metal hits the spot on ‘Mark Of My Sins’ as the lyrics talk about “scars” and “cracks” as the “silence haunts” the “silent mind” with “hearts breaking because of you”. The song is the emotional core of the album. The guitars are doing their best melodic riffs. And, they continue on ‘Venom In Me’ as the guitar solo shines as the drums explode underneath and the bass thrums. The songs are very dance oriented. I can hear the singing and dancing at a stadium show. The drums lead in ‘Box With Spirits’ and the lyricism has the intriguing juxtaposition of metaphorical ideas and can be interpreted ambiguously. What spirits are talked about here? The memories of past pipe “dreams” or “alcohol”.
The last song on this album ‘Hold Your Fire’ features the dark fry singing of Samy Elbanna. It is a very different type of song and surprise as it has a harder edge. Samy Elbanna's screams paired with drums and guitars give the song a real kick. It is a heavy and an ideal ending, especially with the unleashed guitar solo.
How to describe ‘Requiem For A Pipe Dream’: the word is varied with it seems a band, Cyhra, that is not afraid to experiment with songwriting form and sound. Intriguing and beautifully melodic with a lot to unpack in the album’s construction.
