Album Review: HyperioN – Cybergenesis (Fighter Records)

Traditional heavy metal and classic sci-fi storytelling collide as Italian metallers HyperioN return with their third full-length album, Cybergenesis, set for release on the 15th January via Fighter Records.

Formed in 2015 in Bologna, Italy, HyperioN were founded by drummer Jason Beghelli and guitarist Davide Cotti to play traditional heavy metal inspired by Metal Church, early Queensrÿche, and Judas Priest, with their own personal touch. Their 2017 debut, Dangerous Days, earned strong reviews and saw them share stages with Italian acts such as Tarchon Fist, Black Phantom, and Rain. Their 2020 follow-up, Into The Maelstrom, helped expand their international fanbase despite the pandemic halting live shows. After several line-up changes, Davide Cotti remained the band’s main composer and driving force, guiding HyperioN into a new era.

With this revitalized line-up, HyperioN deliver Cybergenesis, an eight-track concept album that blends classic heavy metal with cinematic sci-fi storytelling. The album follows a doomed expedition into a space-time rift, awakening the Choir, an ancient alien hive mind, and plunging humanity into war against its cyborg army. Central to the story is a former commander reborn as the Rhizome Rider, leading a rebellion from within and sacrificing himself to free mankind. Drawing inspiration from Star Trek and Ghost in the Shell, Cybergenesis explores resistance, identity, and sacrifice, while its hand-painted artwork by Ryan T. Hancock gives the album a tangible, authentic visual identity.

Credits for Cybergenesis are largely the work of HyperioN’s driving force, Davide Cotti, who wrote all the lyrics and composed the majority of the music. Exceptions include track 2, co-written with drummer Francesco Madonna, and track 7, co-written with guitarist Francis Dipasquale. Cotti also handled production, recording, mixing, and mastering, ensuring the album’s sound reflects the band’s vision. Vocals were recorded by Antonio Inserillo.

HyperioN on Cybergenesis features Davide Cotti on guitars, Francesco Madonna on drums, Max Morelli on vocals, Simone “Nega” Cauli on bass, and Francis Dipasquale on guitars.

Cybergenesis gets underway with Deafening, which jumps straight in with a blast of lead guitars. The song keeps a strong pace, rooted in traditional heavy metal, driven by punchy riffs and solid drums, while the lead guitars add energy and urgency. Vocals are clean and high, with just the right amount of snarl and bite, backed by harmonies that lift the chorus. Lyrically and with subtle backing touches, a futuristic flavour comes through, but the focus is on an energetic, catchy opener that immediately grabs the listener.

Rewire, Rebuild takes a slightly more experimental turn. Its quirky intro sets up a tension between rhythm and lead guitars that carries into the verses, giving them a jagged feel. Vocals are strong, and intermittent drum blasts and bass lines add punch, though the verses don’t always fully gel. The chorus is catchy, and the guitar solo is a standout moment, fiery and precise, giving the track plenty of impact despite the minor conflicts in the verses.

Up next is Yet We Still Fight, where HyperioN drop into a much groovier rhythm. It’s bassy and catchy, with drums that make you want to move and bang your head, while small shifts in pace and tone help keep Cybergenesis sounding fresh. Bursts of lead guitar cut through the darker feel, and the chorus adds extra snarl to the vocals along with backing shouts. It’s a strong track with plenty to enjoy.

The Shackles of Chronitus pushes the tone even darker with a slower, chunkier approach. The riffs are solid and weighty, and the guitar blasts that bookend the verses work particularly well in setting the mood. There are moments in the verses where the vocal delivery clashes slightly with the riffs and rhythms, something that stands out to my ear at least, but it’s a minor issue in an otherwise effective and heavy track.

Blood Over Chrome opens with a slower, more melancholic feel, built on prominent bass lines and a smooth solo that bleeds into the track. From there, it shifts gears and quickly becomes a highlight of the album. The pace picks up with wicked riffs and driving rhythms, and the vocals match the music perfectly, balancing snarl with impressive range. The chorus feels bigger and more anthemic, helped by layered backing vocals, while a sharp solo and a memorable singalong “whoah whoah” section seal the deal. It ticks plenty of NWOBHM boxes and stands out as one of the most replayable tracks on Cybergenesis.

Grain of Sand keeps the tempo high and the adrenaline flowing, maintaining the quality and momentum set by Blood Over Chrome. A strong chorus and impressive vocal performance are paired with more of the creative touches HyperioN sprinkle throughout the album. A sudden drop in the second verse strips the music back to isolated vocals over guitars before everything crashes back in with added power, while a scratching guitar pattern helps break up the flow. These small variations keep things interesting and make Cybergenesis feel exciting and unpredictable.

We’re close to the end with the penultimate track, Rhizome Rider. There’s a lot to like here, from the strong riffs and drums to the continued vocal confidence, but it’s not without issues. The chorus doesn’t land for me, with heavy use of echo and polyphonic backing vocals that feel grating and unnerving. That said, the latter half of the track is outstanding, delivering some of the best moments on the album. The solo is excellent, the rhythmic, horse-hoof-like beat fits the character perfectly, and the layered backing lines add depth and atmosphere. Personal taste aside, there’s plenty of quality on display.

Cybergenesis closes with its longest track, The Whole of Time, stretching close to seven minutes. The intro combines spoken word and sung vocals reciting the same passage before giving way to a huge, epic solo that leads into the body of the song. From there, the verses roll in with groove and weight, built on thick riffs and driving drum patterns, elevated by subtle atmospheric backing. The track builds toward a chorus that doesn’t quite reach the epic heights hinted at, but still delivers a catchy and satisfying hook with some sharp guitar flourishes. As expected, another extended solo follows, moving through different phases and tempos, and rounding out a very strong, fitting conclusion to both the album and its overarching story.

Cybergenesis is a confident and engaging release that shows HyperioN firing on most cylinders. Rooted firmly in traditional heavy metal, the album keeps things fresh through smart shifts in pace, tone, and structure, while the sci-fi concept gives everything a strong sense of purpose. There are a few moments where certain ideas don’t quite gel, particularly in some vocal patterns and chorus choices, but these are minor issues in an album packed with memorable riffs, strong vocals, and creative flourishes.

You can grab your copy of Cybergenesis from HyperioN on Bandcamp, here.

Track Listing:

1. Deafening
2. Rewire, Rebuild
3. Yet We Still Fight
4. The Shackles of Chronitus
5. Blood Over Chrome
6. Grain of Sand
7. Rhizome Rider
8. The Whole of Time

HyperioN Links

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