I read William Gibson's classic cyberpunk novel 'Neuromancer' a few months ago. Well, I found the book pretty boring to tell the truth. Now you know it, but what it has to do with Italian band Icycore? The concept of 'Wetwired' is highly inspired by Gibson's cyberspace stories. I tried to like 'Neuromancer', but failed to do so. With Icycore I had zero expectations, so everything was open.

Icycore perform prog metal with, as the sticker on the case says "stilistic [sic] variety" and "highly skilled level of musical artistry", plus "their compositions sound unique and never cranky"! Man, their label's granted them a lot of promise... What about the variety? Yes I can agree with this one, because the music here varies from heavy parts to computer soundscapes and slow songs. Highly skilled level of musical artistry, then? Well, I think these fellas and a girl can play and sing, that's for sure.

But, the compositions do not always work, sad but true. One thing that bothers me the most is the copying! I mean Icycore massively owe to one of the forerunners of prog metal: Dream Theater and their classic 1992 album 'Images and Words' (as far as I know 'em, and that's not too much at all). I know, this argument is heard sooooo many times when talking about a prog metal album, but this time around it is more than a bit valid, believe me. The music toes the line of prog metal "rules" and "laws" without breaking those them even once. And this is the biggest weakness about 'Wetwired'. But hey, that's no news in modern days' metal scenes, eh?! After the typical original sin of a prog metal record, the length, becomes next. You guessed it: Sixty-five minutes ain't that benign substrate for any kind of music. Were' talking about the band's debut album here... The music needs concentration from listener, because it often takes turns, is both varying and pretty layered. It could be much more straight at some points, because now it feels it was forced to this twisting form, especially the ever-changing tempos. There's definitely some stuffing here, especially the instrumental 'Upload' which comes on second slot and the other instrumental 'Redefine Stru' which sounds like bad MIDI stuff. So, the label's claim that "compositions sound unique and never cranky" is not true in my opinion, because there's a lot of "cranky" stuff in most of the compositions here.

The vocalist sounds nearly like Dream Theater's James LaBrie, because he has very similar range from soft calm voice to high-pitched, almost screaming, singing. But one thing that annoys me is his way to squeak, which I think is used as an effect, but still heavily gets on my nerves. The story tell about a man who can find nothing in his human life, so he wants to die and submit himself to this computer matrix and continue his life there. Sound-wise the album is okay. It feels a bit stuffed and the drums sound too machine-like.

So, are Icycore in it for the fame, for the money, or for the fun of it? Sounds like all the choices could be right, so if you think you might find it cool, be my guest. But this definitely is not a must. 'Wetwired' feels too cyber, not soulful enough.

Rating: 5 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
08/02/2009 14:39