Genre/Influences: Industrial-metal.
Background/Info: Psyclon Nine once started as a harsh dark-electronic formation (referring to their debut album released on NoiTekk), but quite progressively the band moved towards industrial-metal fields. This opus is the first new one since 2014.
Content: The industrial-metal influence remains ultra-present, but I also experienced this album as an exploration of new sonic paths. The dark-doom side has never been that present while the oppressive atmospheres are clearly revealing a kind of modern sound-approach. This album has something overwhelming and the bombastic/orchestral arrangements only reinforce the feeling. The power is hiding in obscure and sometimes disturbing spheres. A few passages even have something ritual-like.
+ + + : I experienced this work as the most disturbing Psyclon Nine release in history. This production will freak you out and I simply love it. But I’m also convinced Nero Bellum has accomplished the most soundtrack-orientated opus from the band. “Warm What’s Hollow” is a great song illustrating this obscure, cinematographic side. This is production is characterized by brilliant atmospheres reinforced by the possessed vocals of the front man.
– – – : I can imagine some fans would have expect something harder and more ‘pure’ metal-driven. They’ll only get a few songs into that style.
Conclusion: “Icon Of The Adversary” appears to be a noticeable ‘comeback’ for Psyclon Nine. It doesn’t sound like the start of something completely new although it’s definitely a new chapter that has just begun.
Best songs: “Warm What’s Hollow”, “When The Last Stars Die”, “And With Fire”.
Rate: (8).
Artist: www.facebook.com/psyclonnineofficialLabel: www.metropolis–records.com / www.facebook.com/MetropolisRecords
About Psyclon Nine
Psyclon Nine is the vehicle of Nero Bellum, active since a 2002 debut and early releases on NoiTekk before the band moved toward an industrial-metal sound on Metropolis Records. “Icon Of The Adversary” followed the 2014 album “Order Of The Shadow: Act I” as the band’s first new full-length in four years. Psyclon Nine has stayed active since, with “Less To Heaven” following in 2022.
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