Review Summary: Scar Symmetry redeem themselves
If you are reading this expecting another review claiming that Scar Symmetry's latest album 'The Unseen Empire' is just a compilation album of songs you have probably heard on other Scar Symmetry album then click off this page. For a band that is very pigeon holed when it comes their sound and style, it leaves them very open to be criticised for 'recycling' their music.
After a very disappointing previous album in 'Dark Matter Dimensions', I totally agree that Scar Symmetry had it all to do in terms of redeeming themselves with this album, and they have done that in abundance with 'The Unseen Empire'. It contains everything that an awesome Melodic Death Metal album should have; heavy crushing riffs, harmony guitar leads and melodies, mixed with the little touches that Scar Symmetry bring into the mix e.g. the contrast of guttural vocals and clean, ridiculously good production and insane guitar solos.
I agree with other reviews that the Melodic Death Metal scene has become very stagnant in terms of good bands and music coming out, but with this album Scar Symmetry prove with songs such as 'The Anomaly', 'Illuminoid Dream Sequence' and 'The Draconian', that they have the ability to improve and push boundaries of technical and melodic musicianship with every album, something which the scenes supposed forerunners In Flames and Children Of Bodom have struggled to do in recent times.
In essence, you know what you are going to get with a Scar Symmetry album, and perhaps this is what is undermining a band that really should be miles ahead of everyone else.
