Neurotech - The Catalyst (2017)^{Release ID: 4275}

In 2017, Mechina and Neurotech each released an album that would mark their last one before taking a couple years off. Well, Mechina would work on remastering 6 of their albums for their Compendium boxset, while Neurotech was having a firm temporary disbandment, with Wulf starting his own electronic project NeuroWulf. So here's what was originally Neurotech's final album, The Catalyst.

I say it's great for what was back then a swansong album. We have the usual electro-industrial/cyber metal from the past few years, summarizing them all nicely and working out a little better than In Remission...

There's atmospheric density in the intro "Act I - Enter" to start taking you through imagination beyond reality. The title track soars through with its anthemic instrumentation and chorus. Same with "Our Burial Ground" that's like a better outtake from In Remission. And again in "Sleepwalkers Lifeline" with spooky synths to go with the beats and vocals, not too far off from the Stigma era.

"Act II - Adapt" is a strange interlude. "The Flame of Faith" has the most of the album's heaviness, though it's played too safe and doesn't shine so well. "Epitaph" is a bit too soft for a heavier metal listener like me. "At a Standstill" perfectly makes up for what's missing in this act with its killer 4-minute summary of the project's journey.

"Act III - "Surrender" is also kinda weird. "The Seductive Void" is another strong track showing what Wulf has in store. "Reconcile" is nice and catchy in the chorus and the female singing by someone named Tamy. "Thoughts Become Air" is the stunning ending to the initial finale of Neurotech's discography. Fans of the project back then were likely satisfied with this track to close the curtain.

The Catalyst is a great album of melody and energy. The only slight bumps come in most of the second act that loses some slight steam. Wulf needed to leave his project behind for a few years, and it was a good decision, considering how much of a comeback he would make when he later returned....

Favorites: "The Catalyst", "Our Burial Ground", "Sleepwalkers Lifeline", "At a Standstill", "The Seductive Void", "Thoughts Become Air"