UMUR "Cannibalised" is the 3rd full-length studio album by UK progressive power/thrash metal act Biomechanical. The album was released through Earache Records in February 2008. It´s the successor to "The Empires Of The Worlds" from 2005.

"Cannibalised" continues the "hard to define" music style of "The Empires Of The Worlds (2005)", which means that it´s a combination of thrash/groove metal riffs, screaming US power/heavy metal styled vocals, progressive ideas, and symphonic orchestral keyboards. Although the tracks feature regular vers/chorus parts, "Cannibalised" is not an easy listening experience, which is due to the many influences fighting for domination and often the tracks are multi-layered and quite busy. At times it´s quite a chaotic listen and as a consequence some tracks (like the title track) take several listens to fully grasp.

The 10 tracks on the 48:05 minutes long album are very hard edged and energetic, and it´s only a few times during the playing time that Biomechanical turn down the volume and allow room for more mellow parts (like the case is with "Breathing Silence"). Other than those occasional moments where the listener is allowed to breathe a little, you´re constantly bombarded with pretty extreme screaming vocals (think of Rob Halford on steroids), very fast-paced frantic riffing, and aggressive rhythms.

This approach to playing/singing of course requires great skill, and Biomechanical have that in abundance. The instrumental part of the music is very impressive, and lead vocalist John K. is an incredibly powerful and talented singer too. His performance could have prospered from a little more restraint and focus on melody, instead of almost constantly screaming at the top of his lungs, but it´s still impossible not to recognize how skilled he is.

"Cannibalised" features a powerful sounding production, which is obviously the work of a professional, but when it comes down to it actually lacks a bit of clarity, and the already busy music often ends up even more chaotic sounding that it already is. So I´m a bit biased when it comes to evaluating "Cannibalised", because on one hand I´m very impressed by the musicianship and the often jaw-dropping moments of technical bliss that is a result of that, but on the other hand the songwriting could have been more memorable, and the sound production more detailed and clear sounding. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "The Empires Of The Worlds" is the 2nd full-length studio album by UK progressive power/thrash metal act Biomechanical. The album was released through Earache Records/Elitist Records in June 2005. "Eight Moons (2002)" was a very promising debut album but it was originally released by a small independent label, and probably didn´t receive as much attention as it deserved. The label shift to Earache Records/Elitist Records took "The Empires Of The Worlds" to a wider audience though and Biomechanical received a lot of praise and attention from fans and critics alike.

Stylistically the music on "The Empires Of The Worlds" continues, but also develops, on the music style initiated on "Eight Moons (2002)". It´s quite an original mix of groove thrash, progressive metal, and power metal. Sort of like listening to a combination of Pantera, Judas Priest and Pain of Salvation. Lead vocalist John K. is incredibly skilled. He has a strong voice and a powerful delivery no matter which vocal style he performs. Raw aggressive vocals, higher pitched screaming vocals, or more progressive inclined clean vocals, he can do them all with great conviction.

Compared to "Eight Moons (2002)", Biomechanical have opted to include more keyboards on "The Empires Of The Worlds", which occasionally provide the music with a symphonic touch. The riffs are predominantly thrashy, chugging and groovy, but Chris Webb and Jamie Hunt have more up their sleeves than just that, and they play melodic themes, atmospheric parts, and some great solos too. The rhythm section of bassist Jon Collins and drummer Matt C. are a very tight playing unit too and overall Biomechanical are a very well playing (and singing) band.

The material on the 14 track, 54:03 minutes long album are generally very well written, powerful and effective. But it´s also varied which means that the listener is entertained throughout the album. There is not a single dull moment on "The Empires Of The Worlds" and you´ll be exposed to one jaw dropping moment after another and generally experience a band at the peak of their creativity. To top it all off the album features a professsional, powerful and detailed sound production which brings out the best in the music.

To my ears "Eight Moons (2002)" is a pretty special album, and I´m not sure I think "The Empires Of The Worlds" beats it in my personal opinion, but objectively seen/heard "The Empires Of The Worlds" is probably the stronger album of the two and it´s certainly an album that has taken the band´s sound and developed it into something even more adventurous and challenging. A 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.

UMUR "Eight Moons" is the debut full-length studio album by UK progressive power/thrash metal act Biomechanical. The album was released through AMUST4MUSIC in 2002. It was a very limited edition release though and a more official release was handled by Revolver Records in October 2003.

The music on the album is a combination of stylistic elements from many musical genres. The vocals are mostly delivered in a raw US power metal type style, but occasionally cross over into more progressive territories (and when they do, remind me slightly of Daniel Gildenlöw from Pain of Salvation) while the riffing style features elements from both thrash, groove thrash, and power metal. On top of that there are keyboards/synths that add atmosphere. They are placed tastefully low in the mix, but are an important ingredient in the band´s sound.

Biomechanical is a very well playing act, and everything is delivered with precision and passion. It´s mostly lead vocalist John K. (real name Yiannis Koutselinis) that steals the show though. He is an incredibly powerful vocalist. Not completely unlike Rob Halford (Judas Priest) at his most raw and aggressive, but there´s a nod towards Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche) in the vocals too. The music is raw and groove thrashy, but also melodic and the closing trio (it´s a kind of suite) of tracks see the band steer fully into progressive territories with both dark atmospheres, cinematic sections, and complex melodies.

The sound production is professional, raw and powerful. With music like this there´s always the danger that it becomes too polished and clean, but Biomechanical obviously favour aggression and rawness, which are very charming and defining features on "Eight Moons". As a consequence of the rather distinct sounding and raw/screaming type vocals "Eight Moons" will probably not appeal to every metal fan on the planet, but if you can enjoy the vocals (personally I find them fantastic) and think a combination of groove thrashy riffing, semi-progressive ideas, and melodic and memorable power metal choruses, is something you´ll enjoy I can highly recommend this album. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

arcane-beautiful This band is one of those bands where, hearing them for the first time just really grabs your attentions makes you listen with awe.

That amazing sound these guys have, with such power and energy really is a feat to be noticed. These guys are so unnoticed and looked over in the metal world, when in fact they should be given a lot more attention.

This album was made during a very turbulent time, with only lead singer John K. left. It is amazing what he created with limited musicians, and how he arranged music in a more orchestral manner. His vocals are also incredibly diverse. His head voice is amazing, but at time his thrashy vocals are a bit too over shown.

I wouldn’t say this album is a masterpiece, it does have some slight weaker moments, but it does make up for them throughout. The vocals I feel are a bit too low in the mix at times, but it does give the album a more aesthetic edge.

1. Fallen In Fear – What an intro. Epic, frantic and mind-blowing. 10/10

2. The Unseen – Love the chorus. Amazing vocals. The instrumentals section is very frantic. 10/10

3. Cannibalised – The groove throughout is spectacular. It just sounds unnatural but has one of the most insane chorus’ ever made. 10/10

4. Breathing Silence – The clean sections remind me of a dramatic Queensyrche moment. To be honest, the “metal” moments let it down a bit. 9/10

5. Predatory – The chorus is a bit annoying to be honest. Very thrashy. 8/10

6. Slow The Poison – Not the biggest fan of this song. It’s a wee bit weak. 7/10

7. Consumed – Very eerie, dramatic and over the top. But I love it. 9/10

8. Reborn In Damnation – Great vocals and some epic riffing. 9/10

9. Through Hatred Arise – Very epic and doomy. Pretty amazing. 9/10

10. Violent Descent - A wee bit rushed and odd. Not a great ending. 7/10

CONCLUSION: This album does start off amazing, goes downhill, makes up for it and then ends weak. It’s quite generic haha. But despite it, it does have it’s amazing moments, and that’s worth the price alone.