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Band: Neurotech
Album title: Infra Versus Ultra
Release date: 27 October 2014
Label: Self-released
Tracklist:
01. (Infra) I
02. Atlas
03. The Longest Time
04. Unleashing The Dead
05. The Act Of Forgiveness
06. (Versus) You
07. Sacrifice
08. Transcendental
09. When The Night Falls
10. (Ultra) Us
Neurotech's music is like a universe of its own. Or not even a universe – more like a macrocosm, consisting of parallel universes, of which all of them have the same sound, but then again, each of them alters that sound in its own, unique way. And every Neurotech release is one of those universes; some being raw, dark and aggressive, other being more lucid and atmospheric. Just as the universe keeps expanding, so does Neurotech's sound: it keeps evolving and surpassing the boundaries to the unknown, exploring new sounds and combinations. Infra Versus Ultra is yet another example, how a bold voyage into the unknown can sometimes result into finding new, amazing realms.
One-man-project from Slovenia, ran by its mastermind Wulf, made its big breakthrough on the metal scene with the 2011's full length debut Antagonist, which shook the metal audience with its impeccable symbiosis of danceable rhythms and melodic death metal aggression. With the following EP, Blue Screen Planet, Wulf already shown his tendency to creating more atmospheric soundscapes, being nothing less than grandiose and highly captivating. Furthermore, EPs collected as The Decipher Volumes and another lengthy one-song release The Elysian Symphony showed more and more devotion to incorporating ambient, astral moments into the music and down that same path walks Infra Versus Ultra. Opposing to the highly acclaimed Antagonist, Infra Versus Ultra gives more emphasis on the atmospheric elements. But worry not - this album still consists of classic Neurotech signature features: harsh, blasting drums, sporadic rhythmic guitar riffs, with a heavy use of sampling, celestial keyboard melodies and this time – only vocoded vocals. Yes, if you were a fan of Wulf's harsh vocals, you'll be a little bit disappointed here: but only if you're not opened to something new. The use of vocoded vocals really adds a special vibe to the music, as instead of sounding robotic, Wulf's vocal work sounds incredibly transcendental and fits the overall ambiance more than perfectly. The opening track "(Infra) I", instantly draws a dark, cosmic atmosphere and passes smoothly into "Atlas", which is – like the colossal deity from the Greek mythology – nothing less than majestic, catching its equilibrium between fast and insane drums and slower, captivating chorus. As "Unleashing The Dead" will strike a raw nerve with it's adrenaline-charged tune, "The Longest Time" and "Act Of Forgiveness" are oppose to that two beautiful, transcendentally romantic pieces. "(Versus) You" takes s a sudden twist; radiating staggeringly obscure and gloomy atmosphere with its pulsating beat and minimalistic sampling and trespasses to the most experimental track on the album, "Sacrifice", which is a purely electronic track, peering into the depths of dark electronic music and even EBM. The last triad then delivers the grand closure: with catchy "Transcendental" and "When The Night Falls" you will feel blood rushing through your veins again, and when the rush wears off, you'll fall into a warm embrace of a serene and ethereal "(Ultra) Us".
With Infra Versus Ultra you will travel through so many different colours, so many different emotions, so many different states of your mind. This album is a prime example how to successfully blend electronic, new wave, ambient and symphonic elements with a primordial metal sound and catenate them with sophistication and precision into entirety. Not only music wise, but also production wise Infra Versus Ultra deserves nothing but praise and is a must have for all the fans for electronic metal fusion genres.
Electronic metal has its Mozart and his name is Wulf.
Review by: Ines
Rating: 9,5/10
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