Illidiance - Nexaeon (2009)^{Release ID: 28054}

As with the debut Insane Mytheries to Demise, Illidiance's second album Nexaeon was initially recorded as an independent demo before being given a more professional release two years later. This is where they're starting to become an industrial/cyber metal band. However, some of their earlier symphonic black metal roots still remain. Continuing the Kovenant comparison, this album and Damage Theory can be considered similar in evolution to Animatronic and SETI, respectively. This blackened industrial metal sound is somewhat similar to early Shade Empire, while Scar Symmetry-ish moments in the deathly riffing and not too over-the-top clean singing. Honestly, if they had discarded most of the remaining symphonic black metal elements and sent it straight to a record label, the band would had some commercial success.

I still enjoy listening to Nexaeon as it is. I mean, what in the band's discography can more unique than this blackened industrial metal sound with keyboards often taking the spotlight. Keyboardist Nemesis has some great energy when playing those synths. The riffing speed is so urgent, and it comes in deathly levels of heaviness while staying melodic. Though all that would be replaced with more catchy dance-y cyber metal tunes in Damage Theory, which is a perfect album by the way. Nexaeon would still shine in spacey atmosphere and extreme power.

The title opener crashes in right away with strength in the chorus over an orchestral backdrop. Nicely done! "Bleed for Deliverance" is an earlier heavier track, originally part of the Withering Razors EP that was recorded and released between the recording and release of the debut. "A Cold Day in Hell" has some of the melody of Parkway Drive and the symphonics of Winds of Plague, while replacing all the "core" elements with the usual blackened industrial metal.

"Chaoticon Nomads" has the blend of chaos and beauty that has shaped up Eternal Tears of Sorrow. "Paranormal Activity" adds in some of the industrial experimentation from late 90s Voivod, like a blackened version of that.

"In Thousands Gales I Dwell" is like a modernized futuristic version of mid-90s Amorphis. I like that! One more full song "Countdown to Annihilation" balances out the extreme symphonics of Emperor with the more complex industrial/cyber metal in a way that I enjoy. An annihilating highlight! Following that final standout is the outro "Spiral Galaxy NGC1309" filled with nothing with smooth ambience, unlike the shred-fest interludes in the debut.

The takeaway of this album is to expect different more intriguing things. Nexaeon has all that by letting loose with the structure and riffing. The guitar tone isn't overpowering in the production and not too raw either. It's at a right amount to make sure there's enough of this extreme futuristic sound without ever having too much of a black metal vibe. This is basically what Shade Empire would sound like if they had more of the industrial elements of their debut Sinthetic in the forefront. Nexaeon is an album between two worlds, for both symphonic black metal and cyber metal fans who like one thing but not the other. Or, of course, both!

Favorites: "Nexaeon", "A Cold Day in Hell", "In Thousands Gales I Dwell", "Countdown to Annihilation"