Scar Symmetry - Symmetric In Design
Metal Blade ( 2005 )
Let's be honest, despite a considerable number of great releases so far this year, the melodic death scene was feeling a bit down. Many cynical minds predicted the imminent death of the genre and labeled any new band as mere copycats of In Flames or Soilwork, and since the two seem to have departed a bit from this style...
I was a bit skeptical when I first read about Scar Symmetry in some forums, praising them as the new flag bearers of melodic death. Were they genuinely that good or was it a reaction towards many of the latest sounds to come out of Sweden? One listen to the album and I knew there was truly something great here.
Formed in 2004 by members of Carnal Forge, Theory In Practice, Incapacity and Altered Aeon, it's not surprise that the quality of the song writing and performance is so high. Still, let's pause here for a bit, this is a debut album by a band that have been together for a year!
I hate comparisons but in this case they're inevitable, the vibe is clearly similar to Soilwork's but rather than just follow a trend, Scar Symmetry have their own musical individuality. Such similarity is obvious in tracks like 'Reborn', '2012-The Demise of the 5th Sun' and 'Hybrid Cult'. However, tracks like 'Veil of Illusions' or 'Orchestrate the Infinite' take another direction with even some proggie clean vocals, and beautiful ones it has to be said, and chords perfectly balanced with heavy riffing and growls.
Scar Symmetry not only prove that the melodic death scene is far from dead or becoming extinct as their music is exciting and vibrant, but they also take their chances with tracks like 'Obscure Alliance' which is closer to hard rock than death.
To me 'Symmetric in Design' is perfect, the vocals, the drums, the guitars and the whole production is just what I wanted to hear.
Metal Blade are lucky to have a band like this with such a tremendous album, now I hope they go and promote the hell out of it, I certainly will.
Metal Blade ( 2005 )
Let's be honest, despite a considerable number of great releases so far this year, the melodic death scene was feeling a bit down. Many cynical minds predicted the imminent death of the genre and labeled any new band as mere copycats of In Flames or Soilwork, and since the two seem to have departed a bit from this style...I was a bit skeptical when I first read about Scar Symmetry in some forums, praising them as the new flag bearers of melodic death. Were they genuinely that good or was it a reaction towards many of the latest sounds to come out of Sweden? One listen to the album and I knew there was truly something great here.
Formed in 2004 by members of Carnal Forge, Theory In Practice, Incapacity and Altered Aeon, it's not surprise that the quality of the song writing and performance is so high. Still, let's pause here for a bit, this is a debut album by a band that have been together for a year!
I hate comparisons but in this case they're inevitable, the vibe is clearly similar to Soilwork's but rather than just follow a trend, Scar Symmetry have their own musical individuality. Such similarity is obvious in tracks like 'Reborn', '2012-The Demise of the 5th Sun' and 'Hybrid Cult'. However, tracks like 'Veil of Illusions' or 'Orchestrate the Infinite' take another direction with even some proggie clean vocals, and beautiful ones it has to be said, and chords perfectly balanced with heavy riffing and growls.
Scar Symmetry not only prove that the melodic death scene is far from dead or becoming extinct as their music is exciting and vibrant, but they also take their chances with tracks like 'Obscure Alliance' which is closer to hard rock than death.
To me 'Symmetric in Design' is perfect, the vocals, the drums, the guitars and the whole production is just what I wanted to hear.
Metal Blade are lucky to have a band like this with such a tremendous album, now I hope they go and promote the hell out of it, I certainly will.
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