Cygnus Rock Band - Raise Your Horns (live at Plaza San Francisco) (video review)

This is the 3rd - and final - release from the Plaza San Francisco series, the gig Cygnus had back on June 21, 2025. This was the song they ended their show with, and they decided to share this moment with us, fans as well.

Because they love us.

But no matter how much they love us, we love them even more.💓

The video starts the way you would imagine exactly how this song is supposed to be at a live event: full of energy, the four men, Deneb, Ruxx, Jota and Drew rule the stage. Close images of the guitarists, you can see their hands, Jota and his forever collectedness, Drew with his elegance; you can even see Ruxx drumming and singing. The men we love and appreciate, the Four Suns. You can't help but swoon over them.

Because they are cool, badass, talented AND gorgeous, too.

And then... you see something totally random. Out of the blue. Try not to drink anything while you're watching this video, because you'll spit it on your phone screen. I warned you.

An unknown guy appears in the middle of the place with a huge, happy grin, like a kindergartener who just ate 2 handful of mud. He is showing the traditional "devil's horn" with his hand.

Those who saw the TV broadcast may remember him. He was one of the presenters of the tv station at the venue; a typical loud, obnoxious, low-cultured, low-mannered media person, whose only task is to attract viewers of any kind - and thus helping the channel's rating - without actually adding any tangible content (gods forbid, meaning) to the programme. This poor devil could be spotted between two songs Cygnus performed, when the broadcast switched from the stage to an inner part of the venue, where this guy was talking to someone who claimed to be a "metalhead", discussing how one should act around metalheads and at a metal concert. It was followed by a painfully cringe scene, where the alleged metalhead taught this poor devil what "headbanging" is (they even had a small presentation of it, after which I wanted to wash my eyes with bleach) and then the alleged taught this presenter guy how to do the "devil's horn" with his hand. And then the tv channel had the audacity to disrupt showing Cygnus's stage presence with this pathetic scene, as the presenter happily waves into the camera showing the devil's horn. 

I really, really hope this dude got some cringe bonus or something like that after this show, because if I were him, I wouldn't have done this for free, that's sure.

But luckily we get back the stage view very quickly, where Deneb is singing with a powerful, deep, so far hidden flavor of  his voice; and if you keep your eyes open, you can even see him as he quickly switches from playing with a pick to playing with fingers

because he is THIS cool

and then he is joined by Ruxx for the chorus. 

Then you can see Jota playing the tiple's part from the original studio version.

Let me take the opportunity to send a very nasty and annoyed look to the person(s) who was/were in charge for the sound; having Jota turned down THIS MUCH should be a major crime. The Legend deserves better.

I'm not sure how many of you out there

none of you, I bet 😒

are aware of the enormous amount of work Jota is doing at every single Cygnus gig.

Jota is a fantastic, gifted, talented guitarist, for whom only his humbleness is greater than his talent. You can see him usually just standing at the left side of the stage, making minimal or even zero movement during the show. He is just playing and doing backing vocals, letting the others - especially Deneb and Drew - catching the spotlight. People

because I know people 🙄

tend to overlook him or think that he's just this "quiet" member.

The truth is, Jota is a cornerstone.

Not only because he has been with Cygnus since the early years, therefore the friendship between him and Ruxx & Deneb is more than a decade old, but also because his presence and all that he's been doing is essential for Cygnus's live experience. He's doing ALL the rhythm guitar parts, all of them, plus ALL the acoustic guitar/tiple themes. Plus he is singing the backing vocals, and by the way, since most of you have never heard Jota singing, I can make anyone sure he has a characteristic, powerful and distinctive voice. If you don't believe me, just watch this.

And as you can see, he's doing all these things with the greatest precision and highest skills, while humbly standing near the drumset. He is there for the band and not for himself.

So, if you're lucky enough to meet or see Jota any time in the near future, hug him. And tell him he is amazing. He truly, totally deserves it.

Then we're getting a hearty amount of the rhythm section. Ruxx is hitting the drums with inexhaustible energy, while Deneb, like a powerful bull on a hilltop, ruling the stage, ruling the entire event, radiating intensity and stamina that can be seen rarely.

This is one of the many reasons why this video is so special.

The solo part brings right there a fantastic "duel of the axes" scene with Deneb and Jota, but we also get some crystal clear closeups as Drew is playing - and that is always spectacular, watching the Colombian Yngwie Malmsteen! - while Ruxx, the engine of the band

I'm sure he ate enriched uranium before the show for having this much energy

is pushing the other 3 tirelessly, enflaming even the audience.

The final chorus returns with the heart-warming, strong voices of Ruxx and Deneb, and they completely dominate the atmosphere.

Let's be honest, dear Reader: this is our secret desire. Whatever is going on, whatever noise cracks our nerves, hearts and souls, the powerful, passionate, warm voices of these two wonderful Colombians just emerge from the background, purifying the world around us, giving us instant hope and joy, while reminding us of the beauty in this world that is worth fighting for. 

And we love them.

Now it's your turn to love them. 💓