Review Summary: As high as honor.
Since 2008, industrial composer/producer Wulf has been churning out music under the Neurotech moniker. Less than six months ago he released his fourth full-length album
Stigma, a solid albeit somewhat predictable mix of industrial metal and various electronic influences. With
Evasive though, Wulf has gone in an entirely different direction, scrapping most of his metal sound in favor of trance and more emphasis on electronic elements. Fortunately, this ultimately works out for the better, as opener “The Tide is Rising” displays with its bombastic drum beats and perplexing synth melody, as opposed to the fuzzy metal riffs and operatic vocals of the past. “From Liquid To Solid” takes a slower, more atmospheric approach, with a wall of sonorous synthesizers contrasting the groovier click of the drums. The entire album feels incredibly vibrant and airy, and far more enthusiastic than anything from Neurotech’s prior discography.
What really makes the album, though, is the pure amount of energy emanating from it. Even in the mellowest moments of songs like “Through the Divine”, Wulf always displays some sort of exuberance and musical fervor. The title track and closer is the best example of this; throughout its seven and a half minute long runtime, it gradually flourishes into a soothingly robust intertwinement of soaring, ascending synthesizers and ambient noise, until it reaches its climax and slowly fades into silence.
Evasive ultimately stands out as Neurotech’s most intriguing and unique work to date, and proves Wulf’s skills as an adaptable producer and composer. It’s somewhat ironic how all of his album titles seem to elude towards avoiding something, because if this is the new standard Wulf is setting for himself, there’s no doubt that plenty are staying tuned for his future endeavours.
