Reviews list for Neurotech - The Decipher Volumes (2013)

Would you consider an album compiling 3 EPs with all-new tracks an extensive studio album? I sometimes would. This artistic man from Slovenia, Wulf had made a series of EPs for his project Neurotech throughout 2012 and early 2013, each of them titled Decipher. Vol. 1 came out in April 2012, followed by Vol. 2 in September. Vol 3. came out sometime in early 2013 though it wasn't released as widely as the first two volumes. And finally in June, all 3 EPs were put together as The Decipher Volumes.

I gotta say, it's a great improvement from Neurotech's good but problematic debut Antagonist, and brings it to the same level as Blue Screen Planet... on average. The direct harsh cyber metal is given more variation, and it's balanced out with songs of different styles, ranging from heavy to poppy to atmospheric. Adding to the diversity is the talented female singing by Tanja Ravljen (I almost wrote Tarja, but that's what happens when you've heard of Nightwish longer than Neurotech). The atmosphere shines the most in 3rd volume, finally sealing the deal on the variation cyber metal has to offer.

Each volume starts with a prelude, and the "Vol. 1 - Prelude" is a nice place to start. It segues to "The Cyber Waltz" which greatly picks up where Blue Screen Planet left off. It's a true cyber metal anthem, with everything you can ask for from the symphonics, synths, electronics, pianos, guitars, drums, beats, and vocals. The perfect memorable beginning of this spacey journey, and done much better than the heavier first part of Blue Screen Planet. Next, "Damage is Done" has the cyber metal aggression leftover from Antagonist. "Home" has smooth piano melancholy, with nice lyrical flow, "Where is the price to pay for the life you've thrown away? Could you believe it's gone?!" The more otherworldly "Below These Scars" is a more atmospheric highlight. The first ever exploration of clean singing fits greatly with the serious lyrics of pain and guilt.

"Vol. 2 - Prelude" is nice. But I don't see much of the point of splitting off part of the beginning of "Let the Healing Begin", which is already an intro, and an amazing one at that. Atmospheric synths and Tanja's serene singing take your breath away. She continues her vocals in the beginning of "The Race of Recovery", "Erase me, don't tell me, I'll take you far away from here". The song is the ultimate highlight of the second volume. The beat and synths may bring the sound closer to dance-pop, but who cares?! The vocal duet between Tanja and Wulf stands out here! It departs from the harshness of Antagonist while still having heavy riffing, allowing that masterpiece composition to dominate. We have some nice verses in "A Clouded Mind" with cool industrial beats. Lots of amazing synths and vocals to add more electro-industrial to the metal. "Is the Sunrise Coming" shows that industrial/cyber metal doesn't have to be as heavy as Fear Factory. Departing from Antagonist the most is "Unconditional", heading into early 2000s Theatre of Tragedy. The complex "This is the New Age" adds to the bridge from the first volume. "A Separate Way" is a magical conclusion to this part.

"Vol. 3 - Prelude" is cool but again should've been part of the actual intro... "Closure" is a nice calm before the storm. "No Turning Back" blasts off with amazing melodies, rhythms, and synths, for another soaring cyber/industrial metal experience. That one actually triumphs over "Triumph" which is starting to get predictable at this point when attempt to add background ambience behind guitar riffing. Then we have a different highlight "The Difference" which peaks as an adventure within an adventure. Everything's so mesmerizing in the beats, guitars, and vocals, and the synths and piano add to the gothic melancholy. "A New Tomorrow" leans a little too far into electropop, more fitting for a club hit. The ultimate highlight of this entire playlist is the 7-minute instrumental epic "Decipher". It's surprising because it's just the soft ethereal new age of Enigma and Vangelis. This atmospheric mini-journey is in a similar vein to the softer half of Blue Screen Planet. Beautiful and suitable for the end or near-end of a Sphere playlist.

The Decipher Volumes is for any metalhead who wants both atmospheric and heavy. The structures and production in these dynamic songs are pretty much what the Neurotech sound is all about. This project should really get more attention and bring honor to the cyber metal name....

Favorites: "The Cyber Waltz", "Below These Scars", "Let the Healing Begin", "The Race of Recovery", "A Clouded Mind", "This is the New Age", "A Separate Way", "No Turning Back", "The Difference", "Decipher"