Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Cypecore - The Alliance (2018)

You know what, I really need to get into more industrial-tinged melodeath. The music made by Cypecore is so good, that I want more of it from different bands. Fear of Domination, perhaps? Anyway, if Identity was a small step up, The Alliance is a big leap that has never let me down. More common listening for me coming my way!

This is the final album with Tobias Derer (drums), Evan K (guitars), and Chris Heckel (bass) before Chris' death. RIP... What a shame, because they're all so talented, and Tobias is such a captivating drummer. Lots of technical rhythms and blasts striking through with no flash, all substance. His drumming is a solid fit to the riffing of Evan K. and Nils Lesser, having an industrial vibe that is also heard in the occasional background synths.

The "Intro" aspect may have been overdone, but it's so short and doesn't affect much. The title track blasts off as an intense battle-ready banger full of djent-ish riffing. The melodic "Dissatisfactory" has a more gloomy flow. It's filled with lengthy complexity that makes it memorable. So is "Dreamsmasher", also having cleanliness from Dagoba.

We also have the diverse "Aeons" with its haunting siren-like guitar leads. "Reject the Stream" rips through with nothing wrong. 7-minute epic "Remembrance" that shows the band at their most atmospheric and progressive. The best one here! "The Voice of Conviction" has some melody from metalcore bands like Unearth and Killswitch Engage.

"Leviathan" is another one of the best tracks in the album, having more melodic guitarwork with some background keys. Vocalist Dominic Christoph sounds fantastic going from harsh to whispers to shouted singing. Everyone's talent shines the best in this heavy/melodic blend. "Values of Death" is like the opposite of their earlier track "Values of Life". After that, "The Gift of Failure" never fails, having some melodeath from Mercenary and early Shadows Fall. The "Outro" is OK, not affecting the album's perfection.

All in all, The Alliance is a perfect balance of the band's past and future, similarly to how A Wake in Providence's Eternity turned out for that band. All before each band's 2024 album takes a more too-pompous-to-enjoy-all route. I shall be giving The Alliance more spins in the future. Despite their unfortunate losses, Cypecore shall not fall!

Favorites: "The Alliance", "Dissatisfactory", "Aeons", "Remembrance", "Leviathan", "The Gift of Failure"