Cygnus Rock Band - Fenrir, the Wolf (live at Plaza San Francisco) (video review)

We're back!

No, in fact we have never been gone. We have always been here, watching.

Watching Cygnus, listening to Cygnus, loving Cygnus, dreaming about Cygnus, obsessing over Cygnus - all at once.

Yes, we can do that, that's why we are Cygnus Army 😎 

Cygnus had a gig on June 21, 2025 at Plaza San Francisco, in their hometown, Cali. This event was special, for many reasons.

Okay, let's make this clear, for everyone out there.

EVERY Cygnus event is special. Every single one of them. Every show, every gig, every live event. What is more, every social media post, every video, image, reel, story they share is special. When they just walk around the streets of the city, that's also special.

Because they are Cygnus.

That's why.

Their gig was the part of a series of events - but I will not write down the name of this event. The truth is, dear Reader, Deneb himself asked us during the live session at the official release of this video, to avoid mentioning the name of it. 

The reason, as always, is capitalism.

If you knew previously about this event, then you don't even need me to say the name. If you don't know it, never mind. It doesn't matter anyway. 

Cygnus matters only.

And in this video, dear Reader, you can see how much they matter. Because this video is also the launch of Cygnus TV, something the band should have deserved long ago.

I confess to you, dear Reader, I've been waiting for this moment for a while, though I wasn't sure whether it would happen at all. But it did, and I'm utterly happy for this. Because I think - no, I don't just "think", I believe it with my whole existence that Cygnus deserves exactly the same appreciation, love and respect as the greatest bands who form and shape rock music with their impact. They deserve to be treated with the same honor and reputation a renowned rock band gets. They deserve their own TV, their own huge fandom, their very own, authentic channels, the rejoice young musicians talk about them and their influence on their lives, everything. Because they are talented and creative, because they constantly work very hard every single day to bring the best out of themselves and to improve, and because we love them. A lot.

This video starts as epic as anyone could expect from a band like Cygnus. Andrés - for us, fans he's just Drew - starts doing something that sounds like a casual improvisation.

Those who know Drew, know, too, that improvisation is not far from him at all. Just watch him grabbing a guitar - any kind, acoustic or electric - in his hands, any time, anywhere, and his fingers start to run up and down on the instrument's neck right there. Just for fun. As a sort of game. Just to say hi. Drew's skills are beyond measurable. No wonder he's often called "Paganini" or "the Colombian Yngwie Malmsteen".

Then the improvisation turns into the opening riff of Fenrir, the Wolf. Ruxx immediately joins him, Deneb is already calling the audience into battle, making even the dead rise from their graves.

I love with every little cell of my body how the bass grunts into the music. After Ruxx's trademark drum opening

the drums are other epic moment of the song's intro, after the iconic pick sliding

Deneb enters and if you, dear Reader, still had any hesitations in yourself, this radioactive miracle in the Magician's hands will change your mind once and for all.

The reason I especially love these live performance recordings is that - besides seeing my favorite band - they are wonderful examples about how skilled these four musicians, Deneb, Ruxx, Jota and Drew are. Not just because you can watch their hands as they are playing, catching their tricks, but if you listen to these recordings with your ears and heart wide open, you will hear the instruments separately as well

that's the nature of live events

and you can see and understand how much work are invested in these songs. It's especially true for this very song, Fenrir, the Wolf, because this song is VERY demanding. Odd time signature, very complex and progressive themes, a great emphasis - and responsibility - on the rhythm section (while both the drums and the bass have their own beautiful and sophisticated themes that are definitely NOT for the faint-hearted) and a breathtakingly convoluted solo with all the instruments involved, that makes every progressive metal fan cry from happiness.

And you can see it all in this video. You can see these four wonderful and talented men as they make magic, you can hear them and you can remind yourself every single time how lucky you are that you are alive in their times.

Ruxx starts to sing.

These live recordings are the evidence - not just this one, but all those Cygnus has released so far - how much energy his voice has got. In the moment he gets to the stage, a new level of power in his vocal chords unleash. Sharp, dynamic and robust, a real war cry.

Has anyone noticed Deneb's hidden little bass arpeggio here?...

Then Deneb takes over with his part.

I love this. No matter how many times I hear it, it sweeps me off my feet. The contrast between the warmth, richness and all the flavors of Deneb's voice and Ruxx's raw, powerful tenor. Night and day, earth and sky, calmness and momentum. The two perfect opposites that can't exist without each other.

And we can't exist without them.

These two voices join for the chorus - with Jota's backing vocals - and just... seriously, just look at them. Look at their faces, look at the passion, the joy, the dedication.

Look at them, watch them in awe, and let their joy and passion grab you and run through you.

...and Ruxx even spices it  up with a scream!

Meanwhile you can watch Jota's massive, reliable harmonies as well. Seriously, what else do you need?...

The answer to the question above is: the duo of Jota and Deneb.

The camera suddenly zooms on the Magician and the Legend, and you can see them

okay, before we get into details: be ready, dear Reader. Be ready for an ultimate - and possibly lethal - amount of cuteness. Be ready that your heart may stop, your tears will flow, that you will scream and you may want this moment to freeze in time

bursting into laughter over something.

And that's not enough.

While Ruxx is singing the 2nd stanza, these amazing and adorable musicians start to pick each other's instruments, still laughing. And when the view opens...

...look at them, just LOOK AT THEM!!!

source: screenshot/YouTube

Ruxx in the middle, sitting behind the drumkit singing, with Drew at his side supporting him, and on the left Jota and Deneb having their moment.

They finish it right in time, so Deneb picks his line right there with the pre-chorus.

The solo comes exactly with that power, energy and might as you would think a live performance could. Drew is ripping off your ears, Jota is the manifestation of elegance, high skills and reliability, Deneb's bass is stomping through you over and over again, while Ruxx demonstrates his unbelievable skills

try to hit the rhythm for yourself as you're listening to this song and you'll see why he has unbelievable skills

and here at this point you can witness this.

(May this image speak instead of me.)

source: screenshot/YouTube

This.

THIS.

THIS, ALWAYS, FOREVER, THIS, PLEASE, ODIN, PAUSE TIME AND SPACE, I WANT THIS FOREVER

Thanks.

Then Deneb throws his pick into the crowd and Ruxx lets out a howl.

Fenrir. I'm sure it was Fenrir Himself. He chose our favorite drummer to manifest. I have no doubt about it.

And as you're trying to find your breath, dear Reader, after this cathartic moment, after you witnessed the Fantastic Three and got a glimpse of the spiritual power of this song, the band grabs you and pulls you into the whirlpool of the last chorus. Just watch them, dear Reader, without any resistance. Watch their power, their passion, their dedication, their faith, let their energy flow through you. 

Don't hold yourself back, dear Reader. Love it. Watch it over and over again. Listen to these two strong, powerful male voices. Let them into your heart, soak them up. Let them hold you, grab you, possess you. And you, also, hold them tight, love them, worship them, obsess over them. Do it with everything these amazing four men offer you. Every little tone, every breath, every movement of their hands, fingers and feet.

Because you can't live without them. And that's why you're here... to show them how much they mean to you.

Definitely set the player on repeat!