this note is probably an one off thing, btu here goes:
Artist: Scar symmetry
Genre: Prog/melodic/speed death metal (i know it makes no sense)
Album: Dark Matter Dimensions
Link: just google them.
Note: I do not have a tracklisting available, so just look it up online or in itunes.
Thoughts:
Scar Symmetry's latest album "Dark Matter Dimensions" is good, but the middle tracks seem like they wouldve fit better on the last album.
There really isnt a coherent tempo in the first song, even though it is good a catchy. I also feel like they rely too much on the awesome skill of their guitarists on this album. There's no real cohesiveness in terms of "lyrics, ok now solo, ok now lyrics" on this album. There's more of a "Hey, lets cram as much instrumentation into each song as possible and hope the vocals are up to par" thing. The vocals are up to par, especially on tracks 9 and 10. These are 2 of the best songs on the album, but they're so late and they're preceeded by tracks 5-7, which are sheer mediocrity.
thirdly, there is too much programmed synth noise on the album and ast one point it even envelops the guitar solo, which i dont like. I dotn have a problem with programmed synths in metal (Scar Symmetry used programming well on their album "Pitch Black Progress") but it seems to not really fit in on this album. I would've preferred no synth and more lyrical work
Fourthly, on at least 4 of the tracks, if not 5 (its a 12 track album) there are abrupt and jarring changes from melodic to speed/death metal on the majority of the tracks. I do not like this, and it makes it feel like the album was rushed. also coming into play here is that 3 of the songs end immediately on the last chorus. It sounds like the insturments just drop out after the final chorus, and me no likey.
overall rating: 7.5/10. In short, i still prefer their old stuff, btu there's some goodies on this album
