Labels: Fighter Records
Formats: CD/Digital
Release Date: 15 Jan 2026
Tracklist:
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
After starting the year with four releases from North America/Canada, I felt I couldn't feature another until I had covered one from a different continent. The first one on my list was the most recent album from Italian heavy metal band HyperioN. Cybergenesis was released just last week via Spanish traditional/heavy metal label Fighter Records (an offshoot of Xtreem Music) and is HyperioN's third full-length since their formation in 2015.
Before settling down to write this review, I made the mistake of reading a “report” from a user on Metal Archives, who is complaining about the choice of genre that HyperioN have been categorised under on the site. I mean, yes they share the same name as a power metal band that existed in Italy in the 90s, but their bandcamp page bio describes them as traditional heavy metal. I know the distinction between the two genres is somewhat blurred, but does it really matter? Can’t we just be allowed to enjoy music for what it is?
Not so important questions aside, this is quintessential Italian heavy metal. ‘Deafening’ opens up the album with a strong Iron Maiden vibe, soaring melodic vocals, galloping musicianship and some dramatic elements too. It’s really uplifting so far. ‘Rewire, Rebuild’ promises so much from the guitar prowess that’s evident early on and there’s some off-kilter/subtle thrash-like trickery going on throughout, but HyperioN are reluctant to truly unleash anything heavier.
Heaviness isn’t their approach though. They prefer to stick to the tried, tested and effective European heavy metal path. ‘Yet We Still Fight’ continues to hammer that point home, though the lead guitar solos are pretty bloody epic and there are gang-chants/semi-clean vocals thrown in at this juncture. The whole thing with the heavy metal revival in recent years is that you know what you’re going to get. ‘The Shackles of Chronitus’ is a perfect case in point, as it’s a retreat back to a mid-tempo, if slightly meandering, heavy metal song as opposed to something more neck snapping.
That being said, HyperioN don’t write uber long songs. ‘Blood Over Chrome’ is a prime example of how enthusiasm and pace can remove the illusion of needless rock operas. I’ve never been a fan of them. They’re the reason I’ve shied away from trad heavy metal over the years. Being guilty of being selective is a me problem, especially when ‘Grain of Sand’ sounds as good as it does! As I’ve alluded to already, it’s a product of the country it was birthed in but that doesn’t hold it back.
Penultimate song ‘Rhizome Rider’ keeps the heavy metal flowing in almost uncontrollable fashion. It’s kinda like a Spaghetti Western song (excuse the unfortunate pun) written for the modern day. Apologies HyperioN, I don’t mean for that to sound disrespectful. Album closer ‘The Whole of Time’ is much more theatrical, as it’s near seven-minute playing time suggests. In truth though, it’s just a lengthier take on what they’ve been doing throughout the album as a whole; playing solid heavy metal in their own way.
It’s not usually what I lean towards but I really do appreciate it for what it is. I certainly wouldn’t label it solely as power metal, as that would be doing HyperioN a huge disservice. Cybergenesis is a really strong album, putting European traditional heavy metal at the forefront of where it should be in 2026.
You can stream Cybergenesis digitally and purchase digital download/cd copies, and other merch via their bandcamp page below:-
HyperioN - https://www.facebook.com/hyperionbandheavy
Fighter Records - https://www.facebook.com/fighter.records
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