| Scar Symmetry Dark Matter Dimensions |
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 | Tracklist:
1. The Iconoclast
2. The Consciousness Eaters
3. Noumenon and Phenomenon
4. Ascension Chamber
5. Mechanical Soul Cybernetics
6. Non-Human Era
7. Dark Matter Dimensions
8. Sculptor Void
9. A Parenthesis in Eternity
10. Frequency-Shifter
11. Radiant Strain
Release Date: 10/30/2009 | |
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On 3 Lists
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| Summary: Melodeath: The Generic Way |
7 of 8 thought this review was well written
The more things change, the more they stay the same. This may seem very paradoxical, but in some cases, the saying really applies. Sometimes a change in a band lineup induces a change in musical style, but sometimes nothing at all happens. This is the case on Scar Symmetry's new record Dark Matter Dimensions as well. They kicked out iconic vocalist Christian Alvestam, and got two new singers in his place (one for growls, one for clean vocals). And guess what; nothing changed very much.
Scar Symmetry still sound like their previous records. Even the vocals haven't changed that much. Robban Karlsson has a meaty growl that's comparable to his predecessor. Lars Palmqvist has clean vocals that sound like Christian's too, just slightly less bluesy. It's like out of all the people that auditioned, they chose the two vocalists that sound like carbon copies of the previous. The only different thing is that what Palmqvist is singing, vocal-line wise, is cheesy and miserably poppy. Scar Symmetry were never a really full out death metal band anyway, and they always had catchy leads and sing-along choruses, but this guy sounds like he could sing for a pop band. There are still vocal lines that induce sugar poisoning all over the album, next to the more brutal growls and the aggressive yet slightly melodic guitarwork. In fact, their new singer is reminiscent of Sonic Syndicate.
Instrumentally the whole record gets a gold star. Jonas Kjellgren's riffs aren't virtuosic but they work in context of every song. His leads are stellar and you can clearly tell the guitar players have perfected their playing and work in perfect tandem to create those thundering riffs and harmonised lead guitar solos. The band still draws from Iron Maiden and co. as much as they do from modern Swedish metal acts (this would not be out of place between the new In Flames and the new Soilwork). There exists bass work, and it's not really relevant because it all works in context but it's not flashy and in your face. There is double bass drumming and a variety of good fills and grooves. None of it is exciting enough to get a drum nerd salivating, but it's all very well composed and arranged and every little musical ditty fits the songs to a T. It's just that this album feels like a case of "we've heard it all before".
That may be the biggest drawback with this record. It feels stale and unoriginal. Yes, it's a batch of new songs, but it's just old songs in a modern coat. There are no stylistical differences between this and the previous three records (not even the liberal amount of keys and synth work changes this because this too was prevalent on the previous records). The only difference is that this time around, their clean singer is more annoying because he sounds extremely saccharine (Alvestam's clean vocals were squeaky clean too, but they just straddled the line between annoying and awesome). Other than that, nothing has changed in Swedish Death Metal Land (It's like La-La Land, but the inhabitants say let's do a sideproject sometime of let's do lunch sometime). Popsicles and a warm summer's day. Beer and crisps on a night out. Scar Symmetry and soft-spectrum melodic death metal. I guess they didn't surprise us with banjo metal or anything...
6 Popsicles on a warm Swedish metal festival out of 10.
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Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off
6 Popsicles on a warm Swedish metal festival out of 10. lol. great write up.
Digging: The Mars Volta - Frances the Mute |
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Album Rating: 3
This is out in Europe. So I get to review it, fuckers.
Digging: Katatonia - Night Is The New Day |
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Album Rating: 3
Essentially not an entirely bad review, but you could've done your research. It's not Robban but Roberth, the lead guitar is largely taken care of by Per Nilsson, not Jonas Kjellgren. There are differences with earlier material, although I'm inclined to agree the differences aren't great (Mechanical Soul Cybernetics as an exception).
The growls and cleans do sound very different with the most important result that the melodic vocals composition is unlike before. I agree that it's not for the best in most cases, but Lars has his moments. Roberth sounds like a stronger growler altogether.
Again, review isn't necessarily bad but definitely not one of your best. It reads too much like a generic rant and doesn't sound like you've taken your time to listen to the material.
Digging: Katatonia - Night Is The New Day |
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Album Rating: 3
couldnt agree more with your summary.great review.
Digging: Dark Age - Acedia |
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Album Rating: 3
I know it's Roberth. Robban is his nickname.
And Jonas also plays lead/rhythm guitar. Along with Per. It's a double tandem.
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just got Altmered
Digging: Masachist - Death March Fury
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Album Rating: 3
how does someone get altmered.
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Album Rating: 4 | Sound Off
I agree with all of this - sounds like a bunch of songs recorded for Holographic Universe that didn't make the cut. Still very listenable, but not a step up in any way.
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Album Rating: 3
yeah all in all it's listenable enough but there's something about the clean vox that irks me, it's too saccharine, although the vocals are great in every respect other than that
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Album Rating: 1.5
this doesn't deserve a positive review
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Album Rating: 3
I see 3 as slightly above average. I'm not in love with the album either.
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Lamest song titles ever
Scar Symmetry were never a really full out death metal band anyway
For me they never were even remotely death metal nor melodeath
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Album Rating: 2
Huge disappointment although I should've seen it coming after Alvestam left. I think I only enjoyed one song from this and I don't even remember what it's called so I'm lowering my rating to a 2.
Digging: The Swell Season - Strict Joy |
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Melodeath: The Generic Way
Sums up the bands career.
Alvestam's clean vocals were squeaky clean too, but they just straddled the line between annoying and awesome
They were never awesome. Vocalists like that are a dime a dozen.
Awesome review dude. These guys have always been waving the flag of suckage.
Digging: Nadja - Radiance of Shadows
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Album Rating: 2 | Sound Off
This album is bad, I enjoyed their other work to a certain extent, especially their first album.... but enough is enough! Good review Altmer.
Digging: Drudkh - Blood In Our Wells |
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Album Rating: 3
New singer is too power metal.
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Album Rating: 3
I don't detect power metal in it... it's not high and operatic and ripping off Dickinson. It's more -core clean vocals.
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Album Rating: 2 | Sound Off
Agreed, their singer isn't really power metal at all.
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Album Rating: 3
My bad, cheers for pointing out my mistakes Altmer.
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Album Rating: 1.5
Has Swedish metal finally been raped of all it's glory? Perhaps it is time for Raptor Jesus to close Seden off forever.
Digging: Venetian Snares/Hecate - Nymphomatriarch |
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