Russian band Illidiance have been forging their "cyber metal" since 2005. Even though the band have already 2 full-length albums out, their management decided to send me the reissue of 'Synthetic Breed' EP, which at first was released by the band themselves in summer 2009. These five songs appeared on 'Cybergore Generation' promotional EP, released in February of the same year.

So, nothing new, but new for me. I had never heard of Illidiance before the management of theirs contacted me. So I plunged into the world of "cyber metal", the Illidiance way. Illidiance's metal is modern. It is very precise yet atmospheric. Well, that's how I understand "cyber" anyways. Rhythmic like Fear Factory for example, futuristically atmospheric in vein of The Kovenant and vocals-wise close to Trivium and also to Scar Symmetry (clean vocals and some metalcore bellow, but there's some growling too). "Cyber" part is created with electronic sounds and synthesizer work, which owes a lot to electronic music, be it synth music or dance music. Heavy, hammering riffs and metronome rhythms with synth-generated melodies, with human element in the vocals department is what this is about.

'Cybergore Generation' and 'Mind Hunters' are most melodic death metal style songs, while 'Infected', 'Razor to the Skin' and 'Cybernesis' show electro side of the band. Surely, all the elements can be heard on every song, but they are still sharp compositions, actually very, very catchy. In the metalunderground.com interview the band's forming member, vocalist and guitar player Dmitry "Xyrohn" Shkurin said, that he has played in different bands, ranging from rock and punk bands to death and black metal bands. As he wrote all the music with bassist and second vocalist Artyom "Syrex" Shkurin, the source of diversity is clear.

The production is, well, modern... It's still way more metal than most digital works in metal music. It is attentively mixed and balanced, making the band sound complete, full. Great work. Artwork looks more like some game's graphics. The bonus video clip is the live version of 'Razor to the Skin', showing how well-oiled machine Illidiance are.

Illidiance are not pioneers, but they do sound fresh with their branch of "cyber metal". If you aren't afraid of modern sound, I strongly advice you to check out Illidiance, because they are of high class. Catchy as a very infectious virus indeed!

Rating: 7½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
01/08/2010 21:34