Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Neurotech - Memory Eternal (2024)
Taking a few-year break from Neurotech was the right call for Wulf. Since then, the 2020s is shaping up to be a bright decade for Neurotech so far. Pretty much every release in this era is amazing. Sure they can't beat the perfect glory of Infra Versus Ultra and Stigma, but it makes up for the project's past mistakes and the somewhat downward turn for Mechina in their 2023 album Cenotaph.
D*mn, the new album Memory Eternal rules! Alongside the usual orchestration and electronics, this might be just be the most metal Neurotech has gone in ages, including dark dissonance and even some blackened blasts and growls, the latter Wulf had not done in over 10 years.
The orchestration and choirs that open with "Credo" are what you might hear in a futuristic sci-fi film soundtrack. And it's blended with well-executed synths and vocals. "The Ark of Cain" shows that Wulf is never afraid to diversify his sound, as synths flow beside the vocals. For those expecting more of the trance-y side, "In Stasis" has that. Great song, though more suitable for a dance-club.
The more djenty "Echoes of the Fall" combines downtuned heaviness with electronics without ever having to go light. Well, except for the more acoustic parts, but they can flow through your body with a similar epic progressive vibe to the Symphonies series of albums. While it all sounds nice and spacey, you don't ever wanna miss out on the last minute in which the instrumentation goes hyperspeed. "Descent" is the only track that I would consider a bit disorienting in the rhythms. "Invictus" is another grand favorite of mine, with hyper-cyber sections reminding me of Devin Townsend, maybe even Strapping Young Lad.
"Walls We Created" is another dance track. The synths and pianos engage in an EDM-ish duel. The metal riffs and beats spectate while the atmospheric strings commentate and assist when needed. The title track is a progressive cyber metal monument. Pretty much everything Neurotech fans love is in in this 8-minute epic. A much better one than the title track of Solace!
Memory Eternal shows that the Neurotech fans know and love is still around. Whether or not you enjoy the first listen, every subsequent one would be a treat worth replaying. With a f***ing amazing album like this, the memory shall remain eternal!
Favorites: "The Ark of Cain", "Echoes of the Fall", "Invictus", "Memory Eternal"