Futuristic Metal

Tim Yatras is an Australian musician and composer whose contribution to the metal genre has been restless. Not only is he a former member of the heavy metal band Lord, but he was also in Naxzul, Dungeon, Austere, and Grey Waters. On top of such an busy artistic life, Mr. Yatras added a new solo project to his resume, Germ, whose debut album is called Wish.

The act follows the path of black metal music. It combines the typical elements of the genre with electronic sounds. More melodic elements contrast twisting screams and heavy beats. Although the album experiments with electronic music, it lacks an overall originality; the tracks seem to be organized within the same structures of rhythms and sounds and Mr. Yatras’ voice defects in finding its own personality in tracks like “Asteroid of Sorrow.”

“Flowers Bloom And Flowers Fall, But I am Still Waiting” is the most interesting track, able to set a futuristic atmosphere that immediately catches one’s attention. The music moves fast and soon becomes a sorrowful lament that shatters in the singer’s screams. In “Infitinity,” Mr. Yatras plays around with the synthesizers to create a calmer atmosphere. It is interesting how Germ’s metal features electronic, putting together apparently disparate genres. Yet such a simplistic use of the synthesizers makes this album sound behind the times.