Doomed Algorithms: Where Metal Meets Existential Reckoning

Mar 31

Portuguese Metal Forces Converge on a Split Album That Transcends Genre Boundaries

In the wasteland between human potential and inevitable decline stands Doomed Algorithms—a split album that defies categorization while demanding contemplation. Due January 31, 2025, this collaboration between Portugal's Cult Of Alcaeus and Necro Algorithm transforms the raw materials of 90s Death, Thrash, and Groove Metal into something more akin to sonic philosophy than mere music.

Nova Era Records will release the album in CD and digital formats initially, with limited cassette and vinyl editions to follow for collectors and audiophiles seeking a more tangible connection to this ambitious work.

CONCEPTION: BEYOND MUSICAL PARTNERSHIP

Unlike conventional split albums that simply showcase two bands sharing vinyl real estate, Doomed Algorithms emerged from a conceptual alignment that proved too powerful to ignore. Necro Algorithm's exploration of artificial intelligence dominance coexists naturally with Cult Of Alcaeus's examination of humanity's self-destructive cycles.

The album's seven tracks alternate between bands, creating a dialogue rather than parallel monologues:

Necro Algorithm - "Eternal Fleeting"
Cult Of Alcaeus - "Forged By Rage"
Necro Algorithm - "Echoes Of The Abyss"
Cult Of Alcaeus - "Iron Rebellion"
Necro Algorithm - "Awakening From Nothingness"
Cult Of Alcaeus - "The Odyssey Of The Soul"
Necro Algorithm - "Shadows Of The Soul"

THE ARCHITECTS OF DOOM

Necro Algorithm: The Mechanical Becoming Human

Although technically formed in 2024, Necro Algorithm feels like the culmination of decades of philosophical inquiry channeled through distortion and blast beats. What began as Melkor's solo project has evolved to include Jeroen (drums) and D-Void (lead guitar), though the conceptual foundation remains singular.

"I've always been fascinated by questions that have no definitive answers: Why are we here? What is our purpose? What lies beyond the void?" Melkor explains. "These thoughts are overwhelming, sometimes even terrifying, and metal felt like the perfect medium to channel that emotional weight."

The band's exploration of the boundaries between artificial intelligence and human consciousness manifests in their complex compositions. Tracks like "Eternal Fleeting" and "Echoes of the Abyss" showcase a disorienting mastery of time signatures that feels both mathematical and visceral—the sound of rationality collapsing under histrionic weight.

Cult Of Alcaeus: Strength in Recurring Destruction

Taking their name from the Greek word for "strong," Cult Of Alcaeus formed in 2024 with a mission to sonically document what they call "Doomed Cycles"—the patterns of destruction and rebirth that seem hardwired into human civilization.

"The concept of Doomed Cycles reflects the repetitive and self-destructive patterns that define human history—wars, oppression, technological overreach, societal decay," explains Pophíis Homega. "Humanity seems incapable of breaking free from these cycles, endlessly repeating mistakes under the illusion of progress."

Their trilogy within the split—"Forged By Rage," "Iron Rebellion," and "The Odyssey of the Soul"—forms a narrative arc that balances technical precision with emotional devastation, representing different phases of this cycle.

DECONSTRUCTING DOOM: THE CREATORS SPEAK

To understand the intellectual scaffolding supporting Doomed Algorithms, we spoke with both acts about their creative approach and philosophical underpinnings.

Necro Algorithm

Your project combines solo vision with selective collaboration. What drives this approach?

Melkor: "What drives my desire for total creative control is primarily the need to keep my artistic vision intact. When I handle most aspects, from guitars and bass to production, mixing, mastering, and even the visual elements, I ensure that every detail reflects exactly what I want to convey. It's not just about perfectionism; it's about authenticity."

What prompted you to create Necro Algorithm and explore these existential themes?

Melkor: "Necro Algorithm was born out of a desire to merge the raw intensity of metal with deep existential themes, to create something that was not only heavy in sound but also in meaning. The concept of machines rising against humanity, the coldness of technology, and the insignificance of human existence in a vast universe all tied perfectly into this existential questioning. It mirrors the way we often feel disconnected, small, and powerless against forces we can't control or even fully understand. I wanted Necro Algorithm to be more than just another metal project. I wanted it to feel like an experience, something that makes people reflect on their own existence, mortality, and place in the universe.”

Cult Of Alcaeus

How do you translate the concept of humanity's decline into your musical storytelling?

Pophíis Homega: "Our approach to storytelling is a mix of raw aggression and dark atmosphere. The music itself carries a sense of urgency and destruction—riffs that feel like machinery grinding to a halt, drumming that mimics the march of war, and vocals that shift between commanding and desperate, like voices lost in the noise of a collapsing world. Lyrically, we don't 'tell stories'—we create and describe 'experiences'. We 'paint' apocalyptic scenarios where humanity fails, civilisations crumble, and individuals are left questioning their own existence."

How does your sound approach these themes differently from Necro Algorithm?

Pophíis Homega: "Cult Of Alcaeus represents the human element in this equation—our music is raw, aggressive, and emotionally driven, mirroring the primal instincts of survival, rebellion, and existential dread. Our lyrics dissect the way civilisations build themselves up only to collapse under the weight of their own greed, corruption, and inability to escape their past. Our sound, while relentless, has a heartbeat—an unmistakable human rage and sorrow embedded within every riff and vocal passage."

On Collaboration

How did this split album collaboration come to life?

Melkor: "The collaboration for Doomed Algorithms came about through a conversation with Pophíis Homega from Cult of Alcaeus, a long-time friend from my teenage years. After hearing some of my previous projects, Pophíis really connected with Necro Algorithm, the concept, the sound, and the overall atmosphere. It felt like a natural fit. This split isn't just about putting two bands together on a record; it's about creating a cohesive experience."

Pophíis Homega: "As said by Melkor, The collaboration between Cult Of Alcaeus and Necro Algorithm was a natural evolution of our shared artistic vision. We've known each other for years, both personally and through different musical projects, so there was already a strong foundation of mutual respect and creative understanding. What drew us together for Doomed Algorithms was the realisation that both bands explore similar themes—decay, the intersection of human downfall and technological advancement—but from different angles.

Cult Of Alcaeus focuses on the historical and philosophical aspects of society’s cycles of self-destruction, while Necro Algorithm approaches it through the lens of artificial intelligence, automation, and the loss of human autonomy."

THE WEIGHT OF EXPECTATION

Early critical response suggests something remarkable has been achieved. Metalourgio.com describes the album as "utterly and professionally crafted" and "this is straight-up Death Metal, with the right kind of vocals, breakdowns, and heavy riffs in the verses"—rare praise for an independent release from emerging artists.

With haunting cover art by Ares Baal that visually encapsulates the album's thematic concerns, Doomed Algorithms positions itself as a work of substance in an often substance-starved genre. This is metal that demands active listening rather than passive consumption—music that lingers in the mind long after the final note fades.

Doomed Algorithms arrives January 31, 2025, via Nova Era Records. For listeners seeking metal that challenges intellectually while delivering visceral impact, this split album offers a rare combination of cerebral depth and sonic devastation—proving that the heaviest elements in music aren't always on the periodic table.