Helion Prime – Terror of the Cybernetic Space Monster

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HELION PRIME has established themselves as a band with a passion for science fiction.  Naming your band after a planet in the film “The Chronicles of Riddick” is a hint. Naming their second album “Terror of the Cybernetic Space Monster” should be a hint as well. Utilizing their mascot, an armor-clad space dinosaur, Saibot on an awesome album cover well, that should solidify it.

“Terror..” is as mentioned previously, HELION PRIME’s sophomore release, and their first with new vocalist Sozos Michael. An interesting line-up change, as the two previous vocalists were female. Michael has a higher range vocal style, which he seems to still be learning to control. He does a fine job overall, but I can’t help but wonder how this material would sound presented by female vocals. Again, it’s an interesting change.

The album starts off very low key and mellow with “Failed Hypothesis”. It’s a two-minute interlude, that almost has a ‘new age’ feel to it. In the last thirty seconds Alexander Bosson’s drums join in along with the rest of the band, and the song quickly segues into “A King is Born”. It’s a solid, fast paced song, and immediately showcases Michael’s vocal range. “Bury the Sun” follows, and I was immediately impressed by the musicianship. Ashcroft and Anderson lay down power riffs while Bosson’s drums maintain the frantic pace. It has great time and rhythm changes, and Anderson’s guitar solo fits perfectly. I really liked this song.

“Atlas Obscura” and “Urth” have a very similar feel to them. In fact, too much so.  If I had to voice a significant complaint, it would be that the album sounds too similar throughout. Similar riffs, similar vocals. There’s nothing that distinguishes or makes the songs stand out from one another. It’s definitely well played, just dare I say, boring.

“Human Condition” features some great background harmonies, and an engaging chorus yet again musically, the song just sounds like everything previously. The album closes with the title track, “Terror of the Cybernetic Space Monster” which clocks in at over seventeen minutes long. And yes, that’s pretty indulgent. Especially as it seems to me to a song unsure of what it wants to be. It features what sounds like three vocalists, one of which is Brittey Slayes from UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, and unfortunately that just seems to add more confusion and misdirection.

For me, this is an album that just seems unsure of what it ultimately wants to be. It’s disappointing. Musically, the album rocks. It just seems to be drifting hoping to find its direction.

Songwriting: 7
Originality: 6
Memorability: 6
Production: 7