July 2025 Featured Release - The Sphere Edition

So just like that we find that a new month is upon us which of course means that we’ll be nominating a brand new monthly feature release for each clan. This essentially means that we’re asking you to rate, review & discuss our chosen features for no other reason than because we enjoy the process & banter. We’re really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on our chosen releases so don’t be shy.

This month's feature release for The Sphere, nominated by me (Shadowdoom9 (Andi)), is the 2014 sophomore album by Russian industrial/groove metal band Conflиct, Transform Into a Human. This lesser-known band of the Russian cyber/industrial metal scene practically revives the groove-fueled industrial metal of mid-90s Fear Factory. I'm familiar with the vocals of Anna Hel from her guest appearances with Mechina, so let's hear some futuristic headbanging music from her main band.

https://metal.academy/releases/59768

Here's my review summary:

Conflиct has diverse maturity in their songwriting. The blend of industrial and groove is quite fresh and is different from how other bands do it. I enjoy Anna Hel's growls here, filled with emotion and passion. However, her cleans rely a little too much on autotune and almost come out as unnatural. I'm glad her contributions with Mechina involve just her growls. The riffing is often djenty, though they sometimes soften in the background to let the vocals shine. I enjoy this catchy heavy-melodic blend, often exploring the more progressive side of the djent-ish industrial groove metal sound that intrigues me. For those wanting more of the heavier side of Sybreed but with a female vocalist, I would recommend this offering. And I'm up to hearing more of Anna Hel's vocals. Well, mostly her growls....

4/5

Recommended tracks: "Circular Transition", "Mechanism of Life", "Rebuild the Parasite", "Half Man, Half Machine", "The Elements of a New Era", "Invisible Thread"

For fans of: Fear Factory, Mechina (especially Anna Hel's guest appearances), Sybreed