Attention, electro-metalheads and science fiction addicts! Finland's Coraxo formed in 2013, put out two EPs in 2014 ('Starlit Flame I' and 'Starlit Flame II'), and decided to assemble the debut full-length album 'Neptune' out of them and some new stuff.

The story is metaphorical: Earth is attacked by space aliens, which are defeated by mankind. However, them invaders send in mind controlling nanomachines which turn humans into fanatics who kill their original breed. Now doesn't it sound a bit familiar, huh?! Emphasis on words "fanatics who kill"... Beautiful Chris Panatier artwork instead of some computer graphics is the first surprise.

Ethereal introduction, in vein of airy Jean-Michel Jarre lulls a listener in, but the band's entire nature is much wider. It's latter ...And Oceans and Hypocrisy, that shake hands on the first song proper, 'Lanterns': Alien-ish synthesizer and melody works meet weighty-as-lead rock instrument performances. Even though at first it sounds like it is going to be a dance party, it is a headbanging one with its tempo changes and metal beats. Being heavy and airy at the same time isn't easily done well, and being outworld-ish too, it's rare. Both aforementioned bands have achieved in this all, and Coraxo succeed in it pretty damn nicely, mostly sounding like an amalgamation of those two bands' styles. Heavy-handed riffing or tremolo stuff, booming rhythm section, harsh black metal style throat vocals and sometimes outright weird synths, akin to Tangerine Dream, make an interesting package.

The band certainly have quite a broad musical spectrum to draw from, but they go further. The 1970s style synthesizer work and saxophone on 'In Adoration' hails the Starman himself, David Bowie. More easygoing 'The Citadel' brings in some gothic rock vibes, even though played hefty way (I certainly sense some Waltari on this one). 'Symbiosis' with its jocular melodies of 'Symbiosis' is one of the highlights, and it's no wonder they also published a music video for the song. 'Ghosts' is more technical song with all those superimposed tempos going on. The album is both in the past and the future at the same time: The metal bits are very 1990s ('The Bastion' harks to Samael of that era), while vibes and the synthesizer work (partly) hails from coming times. Generally, there are some very good songs, but none is average, but above. Some just require more spinning to show their capabilities.

The sound isn't the best possible, even though it shows all the sides of the band pretty well. It just gets a bit choked every now and then. But then again, it sounds way better when listened with headphones. The band's performances are good, but there is some small dysrhythmia happening at times; the band doesn't sound very tight. But we're all simply humans, right?

A very interesting stuff going on this album, for sure. Especially if you like the aforementioned bands. Experimental black and extreme metal fans should inspect this one. While Coraxo's influences are heard, or at least I can interrelate them with my experience, were they correct or not, the band can stand on its own! The sophomore album 'Sol' is out in a couple of weeks, by the way, and I bet it's a sequel to this...

Rating: 7½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
11/08/2017 14:28