Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Neurotech - Exo Escapism (2025)

This year is filled with surprises, and a couple of them involve two of the most profilic bands of cyber metal. Mechina's new album Bellum Interruptum brought back common usage of harsh vocals by a new vocalist. As for Neurotech, their 13th album Exo Escapism might just be their best one in 10 years, since Infra Versus Ultra and Stigma!

Mechina and Neurotech have both each made over a dozen releases in just barely two decades. I've heard of both of those bands for the past couple years but wasn't totally hooked until just a few months before this review. It's a mystery how this kind of music compels me, but I'm grateful to discover it and really think this should catch on with the rest of the world. Wulf continues manning his Slovenia futuristic cyber/industrial metal one-man band with this 10-song masterpiece.

"Exo" is the piano-led introductory track to get you hooked right away. "Cast into Shadow" carries the electro-metal torch with serene vocals. It's absolutely out of this world! "The Mark of the Beast" pounds like a beast. There's darker melody while having some electronic light.

"A Trial by Fire" crashes in with electro-djent influences. The more melodic side has nice vocalist beauty and a touch of Katatonia-like ether. "Saints from Sinners" is probably the most 80s-sounding song here. You can tell from the catchy keyboards that give older listeners a nostalgic feeling. "New Source Code" is filled with dark heavy rhythms. Though within the cold rage is warm melody. "Radiant Violence" is another one of the best, fitting in the name with a heavy structure and vocal variation.

"Ice Cold" is delicate, with soft melody over a pulsing rhythm. "The Withering" never withers within the vocals, guitar, electronics, and catchy chorus. "Escapism" is one of the most beautiful album endings I've heard. Warm synths battle against cold riffs once more, as the soft vocals give you hope. It's practically "Ultra Us" 2.0!

Indeed there's still hope in a world where genre hybrids are too restrained and tasteless music ends up being excessively popular. Exo Escapism has the perfect blend of heaviness and melody with Neurotech's hybrid sound. Crushing electronics and riffs are mixed together with celestial vocals and ambience. Calm verses are connected to storming choruses. Dynamics, emotion, power... This glorious offering has it all. It's every electro-metal hybrid fan's dream. Come with me and escape!

Favorites: "Cast Into Shadow", "A Trial by Fire", "New Source Code", "Radiant Violence", "Escapism"