This is a rare occurrence where I'm not sure exactly what I'm getting into with an album. Cryoxyd, the French industrial death metal band that formed back in 2003 has released their new album "This World We Live In..." via Dolorem Records mid-December last year. On their promo sheet, they cite that their music is for fans of Death, Pestilence, and Skeletal Remains. Out of the three bands listed, I've listened to two of them a bunch, and both Death and Pestilence are renowned technical death metal groups from the 90's. So it's technical death metal? But it's industrial? I still don't fully know the definition of industrial metal, and I'm doubting this'll clear anything up. Labels aside, I'm ready to find out what Cryoxyd is really all about.

A slew of singles will surely give me all the answers, starting with "Mindless Human Form." A clanky, thrashy fistful of music is thrown at you directly after starting. A very present and chunky bass can be heard at all times, a rarity for modern metal of any genre. Some segments and most of the vocal delivery reminds me of the ruthless era of Teutonic thrash metal, but some cleaner guitar solos manage their way into the mix. A technical death metal song with a little bit of groove - nothing more, absolutely nothing less. The second single, "Day After Day," works around with some progressive sections of interesting drum fills and time signature switching. All segments return to the primitve, thrashy style of riffing and drumming. I can see where Cryoxyd would think Death fans would appreciate their work, as the vocals are in a higher register, much like 90's technical death metal. After single number two, I'm still not fully convinced of really anything at this point. Single three is "Ambivalent Feelings," where I can start to grasp onto some moments that seem "industrial." The riffs are pretty thrashy, like early Atheist and Nocturnus. A rollercoaster of a track, and soon I might be picking up what Cryoxyd is putting down. The final single ends this barrage of metal, as "Injected Minds" continues the technicality, but throws in some electronic ambience that sounds like some futuristic factory - an industrial building, maybe? A nice mix of atmosphere and musicianship is present in this track, and this is the best single out of the bunch.

I say let it continue! Why put an end to what seems to just be enjoyable techdeath? After a quick little opener, I'm reintroduced to the powerful playing of Cryoxyd by "Dismal Fate." More atmosphere is built upon in this song, which I always love. The constant drumming acts like a bed of lettuce on the guitar solo salad that is this song. "Trapped in a Mirror" pounds away as ruthless as always, and the same goes for the dynamic instrumental closer of the first half of the LP "Effigy of the Unknown." By now I've abandoned my genre-induced confusion, and I've given in to realizing that "This World We Live In..." is a modern re-creation of 90's technical death and thrash metal. The production is ramped up, but I can still here the bass just like the times of Death, and any other techdeath band I've previously mentioned.

I'm starting to run out of things to say about the second half of the album, as Cryoxyd's sound prevails through tracks such as "Bodycell" and "Emptiness of Life." Ruthless, I tell you. They've really cloaked themselves in the aesthetic, sound, and attitude of the rough and wild time of the 90's. The vocals are pretty good, and I would believe this would be a record from that time, production aside. The last couple tracks are shorter, as "For All Whom Suffered" and the self-titled closing track focus more on building atmosphere with acoustic tones and more electrical influences, ending the LP in a calmer manner.

"This World We Live In..." is a fun journey through the innerworkings of Cryoxyd. The drumming never stops, the bass accompanies the blistering guitars, and the solid vocal delivery tie everything together. I could do without the random electronic-like segments that give the album an "industrial" tinge, though. A solid technical death record overall, and I'm glad to have finally understood Cryoxyd's motives.