Cyberfire Inside

There is no "immaculate conception" in art any more, but on the other hand there is an abyssal gap between this undeniable fact and the currently dominant mentality in the music industry, according to which everything new that is created has to be an almost identical copy of something already known and "officially recognised", so that it "has the right" to fit into a strictly defined category or genre. But genuine music (and art in general) is, and should be, what defines, redefines and/or defies the existing genres and categories; totally indifferent to the established "rules", it forms its own if necessary, only to do away with them when they are no longer needed.

Cyberfire Inside is a brilliant example of music belonging to a genre all of its own, in spite of certain characteristics that might technically conform to one or another "tag" or "label"; the style turns out to be the very concept and identity of itself, in a perfect unification of form and content.

Unreal World sets the tone with its robust melody and appealing "oriental" elements, evolving into an epic culmination while a child's laughter and voice add a note of innocence in the middle of the turmoil - not without an edge of mockery against the deceptive "reality" of the world. The vigorous rhythm of Cyberfire Inside is also that of the amorous heart of a CyborG in Love, mechanical but determined, "reprogrammed" by its own emotions. The poweful theme of Kama Victory celebrates the triumph of dark sensuality (Kama is the Hindu equivalent of Eros or Cupid), followed by the supple grace of A Girl in Tokyo and the turbulent elation in The Night Rebirth.

At the end of an adventure, no matter whether the conclusion is "happy" or not, there has to be some kind of solution, a catharsis - and here, catharsis is achieved by means of The Sky Road (Love Theme), a beautiful, majestic composition that brings closure to the tumultuous world of Cyberfire Inside.

An entrancing album, full of originality and inventiveness.

Save for the confusing inclusion of "The Sky Road (Love Theme)", Nehoryn's newest is loud, hard, and electric. Guitars & distorted synths ride next to each other as industrial and techno beats pulse steadily beneath, making for a compelling listen. That said, the record will not feel unfamiliar to most with an interest in electronic music - though the sitars in "Kama Victory" are most refreshing to listen to.

In the end though, there is a glaring lack of vocals on this particular release which I feel has really hindered the music. I really don't hear this as an instrumental record. I hear this as a record which has had the vocals ripped out of it. There is, in my opinion, so much opportunity in each song to include an amazing vocal track that it's almost disappointing to listen to. That's not to say that the music is necessarily bad, but it definitely feels unfinished.