They’re back in the saddle and they mean business.
After ten years, the core trio of Cypress Hill has reunited. Mainstay MCs B-Real and Sen Dog remain in the fold, but founding member DJ Muggs is back in the picture for the first time since 2004's ‘Till Death Do Us Part’ LP.
It's made a world of difference to not only the band's morale, but the direction of the band's forthcoming, as-yet-untitled ninth studio album. “Muggs is such a talented guy, and he's very deep with his thoughts about music and the way we make it,” Sen Dog says, taking some time away from the studio to discuss the reunion.
“Cypress Hill has always been the three of us – when the three of us come together, it's this strong universal thing that just takes force. When he wasn't there, of course, there was an element missing. No matter what transition the group was going through, the group has to continue and move forward.
“We definitely recognised that we were missing one of our original elements, but the goal was to keep the mothership moving until all of the original pieces and cogs were back together in motion. We got to a stage – not just as artists, but as friends – where we could move forward again.”
Reports from the studio suggest things are going quite swimmingly as the album itself develops. “We've got about 15 songs at the moment,” Sen says. “There's a bunch of tracks that are still developing, but we're definitely putting effort into a high amount of songs; and then we'll pick the best from that.”
“Cypress Hill as it is right now... it's its own planet, its own galaxy.”
As for what we can expect – whether it be the old-school vibe of ‘Black Sunday’ or the rap-rock vibe of ‘Skull And Bones’ – Sen states fans should expect the unexpected. “I don't think it's headed in any of those directions,” he says. “Cypress Hill as it is right now... it's its own planet, its own galaxy. I can't really say that we're taking any particular direction. All I can say is that we're moving into the future, man. That's really the best way to put it.
“When the album comes out, people will be like 'Oh, now I know what he meant’. We're moving in a direction that is somewhat uncharted for us, but we like what we're gathering.”
The new record — which is slated for a first-quarter release in 2015 — follows the release of 2010's ‘Rise Up’, which saw Cypress collaborating with artists as varied as Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello, Latin-American crooner Marc Antony and Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda.
Don't come to the new album expecting anything of the sort; as Sen confirms, it's strictly back to the three of them this time around. “That last record was at a point where we wanted to do that – we wanted to open up the gates so that we could include our brothers, musicians that we respect, in the creative process,” he explains.
“I don't think you'll ever hear a Cypress album like that again. So far, there hasn't been any conversation about including anyone else in the recording of this new album. Right now, it's about the nucleus of the original band – we're not really thinking beyond that right now.”
A theatre tour is set for December, which will see Cypress taking in major capital cities just shy of two years since their previous visit as a part of the Soundwave festival. These shows will no doubt see the trio delivering all their major hits as well as, potentially, some tastes of what's to come. “We haven't gotten to rehearsals yet, but that's one of the things I want to bring up – I really want to do a few, new songs,” Sen says.
“I want to see how it goes down with our Aussie fans, to see if they dig it. It's always a great experience to travel and go to your country. We love Australia. We've always been received well in the 20-odd years we've been coming there. I don't see that changing anytime soon.”
Cypress Hill Tour Dates
Sat 6 Dec - Metro City (Perth)Mon 8 Dec - Enmore Theatre (Sydney)
Tue 9 Dec - Eatons Hill Hotel (Brisbane)
Thu 11 Dec - The Forum (Melbourne)
