With the latest release “Genexus”, Fear Factory attempts to carve a contemporary personal identity in the overcrowded metal scene and continues to explore a sort of cyber/technological evolution through a maze of industrial metal and artificially cold deliveries.
“Autonomous Combat System” features a promising foundation with a robotic atmosphere that grows into a faster rhythmic ensemble. As expected the chorus gains a melodic momentum with Burton C. Bell’s clean & catchy delivery supported by a metallic synth/keyboards arrangement.
“Anodized” follows the same musical pathway filled of sound effects that recall a crowded dance floor or a sci-fi movie. As a whole, the song structure is quite repetitive with android style drumming and riffs that diverge only for Bell’s clean chorus.
“Dielectric” acquires an almost epic feeling that gives way to death metal style tight riffing and raging growls. Even if everything has a certain catchy value, it feels like every instrument performs under strict control following the exact artificial blueprint of the other songs.
The titletrack feels like a polished machine internally regulated to produce a specific array of asphyxiating sounds that seems to leave no space for a blast of genuine creativity. The industrial vibe is quite strong in the programming and in the mechanically precise guitar riffing that relentlessly supports verses and chorus.
“Expiration Date” breaks the spell with a surprising change of scenario that leaves behind the anxiously tight guitar riffing and the extreme metal roots to produce a particularly atmospheric song. While Bell focuses on drama-free luminous clean vocals in poetic fashion, the artistic programming and arrangements effortlessly mix some classic industrial elements with an electrically generated melancholy that recall movies soundtracks.
On “Genexus” Fear Factory intensely pursues a modern/futuristic metal recipe that could grant them new followers, but the songs often struggle to deliver that consistently variegated structure needed to fully involve the listeners.

With thirty years of career and fifteen studio albums, Helloween doesn’t need any formal introduction. The latest release “My God Given Right” certainly doesn’t bring anything innovative to the renowned poppy power metal recipe fully embraced by the band, but if they don’t feel awkward about it why should we?
The title track surely sounds as catchy as you would expect with all the traditional power metal riffs but at the same time the overall structure and style feels weakened and monochromatic. Also, the pop style breakdown doesn’t bring a necessary dose of joyful excitement.
“Stay Crazy” might have a promising soothing arpeggio but the rest of the song relies too much on an average array of guitar riffs that create a standard frame for a very poppy chorus. The guitar solo features some lovely shreds but not enough to save the day.
“Russian Roulè” is a mid paced ensemble of power metal crunchy riffs and a much needed heavier attitude featuring less simplistic musical variations. This is probably the only compelling song you will find here and even the catchy chorus, as well as the energetic guitar solo, has a more serious straight forward attitude.
The attractive element on “The Swing Of The Fallen World” is undoubtedly the somber atmosphere which feels like a breath of fresh air erasing the overwhelming happiness that lingers throughout the album. Also, the harsh vocal delivery and the textured guitar solo seem to blend well with the main musical theme.
“Like Everybody Else” features a ballad style melancholy that creates an introspective mood. There is nothing extravagant or extremely creative here, but there are plenty of enjoyable peaceful harmonies.
“Claws” feeds off blasting rock energy with very dominant guitar and faster rhythm. The overall songwriting and style focuses on a heavier high impact metal approach while the vocals still lean toward a happier mood.
“You, Still Of War” starts with a dramatic atmosphere that gradually flows into heavier guitar riffs. The chorus fits the classic power metal structure while the melodic core relies on layers of epic keyboards and polished prog influenced guitar work.
Once again, it’s really hard to take Helloween’s music seriously but we can’t forget that this cheesy/kitsch style is what really symbolizes the band’s successful career. Therefore, “My God Given Right” is a safe collection of songs truly dedicated to Helloween’s fans who will probably find something to love and hold dear in every song.

With the brand new full length “Graveward”, a humble homage to Italian zombie flick classics, Japanese extreme metal act Sigh continues to embrace a controversial, or just bizarre, musical experimentation that seems to defeat any boundary.
The title track channels some ominous elements of black metal and an old school muddy production. Every instrument gets entangled in a chaotic wave of sound where epic arrangements and a melodic guitar solo manage to stand out.
On “The Tombfiller” there seem to be a clearer music vision when symphonic atmospheric keyboards naturally meet theatrical choirs stolen from classical operetta. Somewhere in the middle of all this, you can still find odd and confusing tempo/style changes.
“The Forlorn” appears to possess a range of melodies and rhythm easier to follow. The overall mood recalls the old school horror music scores with haunting keyboards effects and sinister, somewhat black metal, growls.
“The Molesters Of My Soul” sounds like the creepy decrepit carillon that might evoke unnerving paranormal presences, just like in horror movies. Again, the rhythm follows an odd cacophonic scheme but there is a hidden melody that sheds some light.
“The Casketburner” will grab your attention for the strong jazz incursion that truly brings a delightful dose of necessary melodic catchiness. The rest is all dark and brutal but it gets contaminated by clean guitar solos and the occasional trumpets.
“A Messenger From Tomorrow” showcases the decadently gothic aspect of Sigh’s strange musical pathway. The overall atmosphere is tinged of poetic melancholy that delivers a softer array of classical melodies with vintage keyboards, clean guitar solos and symphonic orchestrations.
Experimentation in all arts is always important but Sigh seems to exasperate and exaggerate this thirst for innovation that often results in a predictable form of chaos. For those who are familiar with Sigh’s work of music, “Graveward” might be another sweet treat but the average listener might not be ready to fully understand, and appreciate, this album.

We are all aware of Morten Veland’s many talents, especially as a composer. With the latest Sirenia’s creation, “The Seventh Life Path”, he tries once again to deliver a perfect album. The expectations are high and so much is at stake because it would be hard to say that Sirenia’s recent albums resemble some sort of masterpiece. But I still believe in Morten’s skills and in his undisputable hard work.
“Once My Light”, being selected as the first single, should be an unforgettable piece of art. But in reality is your standard mid paced gothic/symphonic tune that doesn’t bring any novelty to an over abused music recipe. So you get what the genre fanbase always expects: fragile female vocals, easy to follow tempo changes, loads of keyboards and some catchy guitar riffs.
“Elixir” offers a scheme variation since the atmosphere is more somber and male clean & growl vocals are the main focus. Even if the melodic core fits the symphonic style, the guitar riffs and the rhythm section definitely reminisce of old school gothic metal.
“Sons Of The North” begins with an icy cold metallic atmosphere well supported by Morten’s acidic growls and ominous choirs. This song is heavier and more intriguing that expected if you don’t consider the melodic simplistic chorus with female vocals that really doesn’t seem to fit such delightful darker vibe.
“Earendel” is another song that relies on a heavier Nordic approach but, once again, the chorus seems too predictably melodic while the folk breakdown and smooth guitar solo are definitely noteworthy.
On “The Silver Eye” Morten’s growls are full blown black metal as the feverish rhythm acquires speed and strength. The guitars tone has a vintage grim naturally embraced by gothic orchestrations but Ailyn’s vocals hold a sort of happy poppy feeling that has nothing to do with the surrounding gloominess.
“Tragedienne” is your must have ballad to mend broken hearts on a rainy day with all the proper mixture of strings, delicate piano melodies and tragically emotional vocals.
In the end, Sirenia releases another album consistent with the usual musical pathway, but the lack of enthusiasm and passion is getting more palpable and, considering Morten Veland’s musicianship and past glory, “The Seventh Life Path” doesn’t match his creative force.