Review Summary: It’s not their best album, and not their weakest and if you’re a Scar Symmetry fan you’ll more than likely like it.
SCAR SYMMETRY – THE UNSEEN EMPIRE
2011, Nuclear Blast Records
OVERVIEW
The Unseen Empire is the fifth effort by our Swedish melodic metalheads known as Scar Symmetry. The band was formed in 2004 and has since then delivered four solid albums; the impressive debut album “Symmetric in Design” in 2005, the breathtaking follow-up “Pitch Black Progress” in 2006, the more melodic “Holographic Universe” in 2008 and their weakest album yet “Dark Matter Dimensions” in 2009.
The band gained popular acclaim in 2005 for their video “The Illusionist” when the band signed with major record label Nuclear Blast and released their second album “Pitch Black Progress”. The future couldn’t look brighter for the band. However, in 2008 after the release of their critical acclaimed third effort “Holographic Universe” the singer Christian Älvestam decided to part ways with the group due to touring conflicts and creative difference. After his departure Älvestam went on to create his Scar Symmetry-clone called Solution 45.
The shoes Älvestam left however weren’t exactly easy to fill due to his vocal range, both harsh and clean vocals. Scar Symmetry soon found their replacement. Instead of continuing on with a single singer they recruited the two singers Robert Karlsson and Lars Palmqvist to join the Scar Symmetry family. If it was due to the band wanting to play “safe” on their first record with the new guys, or because it simply was rushed before their next tour is only up to the fans so speculate about. In 2009 the band released “Dark Matter Dimensions” their first record with Karlsson and Palmqvist and it didn’t live up to anyone’s expectations. I would call it a decent overall album, but not a decent Scar Symmetry album. It simply didn’t live up to the master pieces released with Älvestam at the helm.
After being on tour since the release of “Dark Matter Dimensions” in 2009 the band has returned with their second album with the new singers. Does it live up to the Scar Symmetry fame, or is it another mediocre filler album? Their fifth record is called “The Unseen Empire” and it does live up to the fame. In fact, it might be their best album yet.
MEMBERS
Robert Karlsson – Harsh vocals, back up clean vocals
Lars Palmqvist – Clean vocals, back up harsh vocals
Per Nilsson – Lead guitar, rhythm guitar, keyboard, composer
Jonas Kjellgren – Lead guitar, rhythm guitar, keyboard, composer
Henrik Ohlsson – Drums, lyricist
Kenneth Seil – Bass
TRACK ANALYSIS
01 - The Anomaly
The album starts off with a powerful and melodic opener called “The Anomaly” proving that the singers range has been tested and taken on to another level, they are no longer playing safe. The song is mainly driven by its melodic blast from the guitars and keyboards accompanied with the melody direction of Palmqvist. Since the begin of Scar Symmetry the clean vocals have been pretty high pitched, so it’s interesting to hear a Scar Symmetry song were lower pitched vocals also plays an important role into the songs structure… On “Dark Matter Dimensions” Karlsson seemed at times like more of an back up harsh vocalist than a permanent member as he had small parts in some of the songs. “The Anomaly” is mainly driven by Palmqvist powerful clean vocals and even though it is a clean vocal driven song Karlsson does have his parts, and he nails them like a beast! Just to mention the other members, Kenneth Seil the bassist of Scar Symmetry is actually noticeable present on this track compared to *** loads of older Scar Symmetry tracks, the drumming however is really predictable and not exciting at all. The guitars are for all intent and purpose more complex and better composed than ever. It’s catchy from beginning to end. Wouldn’t be if a video would be made for the song, would have been a good choose for a radio single. 5/5
02 - Illuminoid Dream Sequence
The second track is called “Illuminoid Dream Sequence” and brings back the not so ordinary song titles which we’ve grown fond of by Scar Symmetry. Drummer Henrik Ohlsson sure does a great job dividing Scar Symmetry’s lyrics from most melodic metal bands who writes about the end of the world and other emotional teen themes (no offence intended). This was the first track to be leaked from the album. When I first listened to it I was kind of put on really high hopes as it’s different from most of all Scar Symmetry songs and better than anything found on Dark Matter Dimensions. The song starts off with a distorted keyboard accompanied with matching drumming, a groovy guitar riff and orchestral epic layers of keyboards before it explodes in one big guitar duel. Damn, that’s some impressive stuff right there! These two parts are repeated throughout the song with the melodic part being the first part were Palmqvist is at the helm, and the really aggressive and progressive guitar crashing is where Karlsson get’s his first time to really shine on the album, his brutal growling vocals gives me shivers straight through my bones each time the chorus comes along. This song is basically focusing on the guitars being at some times beautiful and melodic, and on the other aggressive and technical as hell. 5/5
03 - Extinction Mantra
The third track on the album is called “Extinction Mantra” and with the help of some really cool guitar effects it has a certain haunting feel. First time I heard it I thought about Egyptian music… but that view changes when Karlsson comes storming in accompanied with some really groovy guitar riffing. At first I didn’t really get the feel of the chorus, still don’t completely. It’s sad to say, but as simple and plain this song is it seems like if they made it in a rush, which I think was the reason for the failure of Dark Matter Dimensions. Even the guitars don’t live up to the range of the first two songs. I’m sure it will be a favorite live song as it has really good head banging potential, lol. Although that’s not good enough for me when it comes to a song, but that’s each to his own I guess. 3/5
04 - Seers of the Schaton
Dam dam dam dam dam dam BOOM-guitar fight! And the fourth track called “Seers of the Schaton” is put into gear! They are not sparing any of the power here with a whole verse being lead by Karlsson’s haunting harsh vocals and groovy guitar riffing. The verse is really catchy but like “Extinction Mantra” it’s the chorus that doesn’t quite work out. It’s melodic, but it’s far too simple in my opinion. This all get’s saved after the whole song changes tempo and Nilsson and Kjellgren goes head to head again. It’s nice to hear a song were Palmqvist is more or less absent and let’s Karlsson get his fair share as second singer of the group. It’s a fair decent song, but not one of the albums best. 4/5
05 - Domination Agenda
Another melodic blaster! “Domination Agenda” is the fifth track of the album and is another track were Karlsson is almost completely absent. Like “The Anomaly” the song strongly is driven by Palmqvist, melodic blasting and catchy guitar solos. Is there more to say? Well yeah, actually! The verse must be some of the most catchiest things I’ve listened to, it drives such a cool paste and structure that it get’s stuck in your head really soon. The chorus seemed really simple at first, but after the first chorus it ends well after all. So what’s it all about; Verse, chorus, verse, chorus and guitar shredding everywhere? Well, there’s another thing. Besides an aggressive part were Karlsson and guitar solos are what’s going on, there’s also a bridge similar to “Seers of the Chaton” were the chorus get’s put in a slower tempo and lower pitch before it all explodes in an powerful version of the chorus were both Karlsson and Palmqvist play an equal role in the structure of the chorus. Personally I would have loved if that chorus would have repeated itself a couple of times, simply because of its epicness. 5/5
06 – Astronomicon
It’s time for the sixth track, and probably the most progressive song you’ll find on the album. Holy *** that verse get’s you going with progressive yet groovy guitar play accompanied with Karlsson and Palmqvist going head to head, with Karlsson being the one who has the most to say. At first there is little cute and melodic guitar intro though… “Astronomicon” is a track that I would like to call a blend of the two most known sides of Scar Symmetry; technical/aggressive and melodic, with the melodic part being most present in this case. For me a songs chorus has really a lot to say in either I will listen to the song often. Astronomicon does not have that Scar Symmetry chorus takes makes me come back for more. It’s a decently good chorus, but low beat and to be completely fair, boring at times. Instrumental however the song is a masterpiece, but it’s only the chorus bringing it down. 4/5
07 - Rise of the Reptilian Regime
The seventh track of the album is called “Rise of the Reptilian Regime” and is a song were lyrically reptilians are taking over. Remember how I told you Scar Symmetry separates themselves lyrically from most other metal bands? This song is proof alone. The song stars with slow and beautiful guitarplay that kind of reminds me off “Ghost Prototype II - Deus Ex Machina” before it kicks off with a really catchy verse were Palmqvist and Larsson goes head to accompanied with groovy guitar play and killing on the double pedals! That’s nice for a change… The chorus is really heavy and groovy with both singers going crazy at each other. Because of the rhythm and structure of the song (especially the chorus) I can imagine this fast becoming a live favorite as it basically is a call to horns and moshpits… But again, that is really fun live, but when you’re sitting home listening to a CD such songs have tendencies to get really boring after a certain amount of listens. 4/5
08 - The Draconian Arrival
“The Draconian Arrival” is the title of the eight track, what is it, another live track? Hell no! “The Draconian Arrival “ is a melodic blaster with potential of being one of the best songs on the album God damn it! Much like “Domination Agenda” and “The Anomaly” it’s driven by the melodic blasting of guitars, keyboards, Palmqvist’s powerful clean vocals and occasionally a bit of harsh vocals and guitars solos thrown into the mix to make the song as good as possible. To be fair, it’s nothing new, we’ve heard this before, but it’s good as hell. 5/5
09 - Alpha and Omega
You could imagine Scar Symmetry would like to end their new album safe like they’ve done in the two previous records with a ballad is track? Oh now, the track is the ninth and final track, it’s called “Alpha and Omega” and it starts off like an angry bulldog trying to bite your nuts off. Yeah, I’m not kidding, it’s ***ing fast and aggressive, with the chorus being melodic as always. So what do we have here? Larsson doing the angry and fast verses, Palmqvist doing the melodic chorus and amazing guitar everywhere. Where have I heard this before? Oh, that’s right…
PROS
- Better than anything found on Dark Matter Dimensions.
- Guitars have never played an more important role.
- Both singers have found their place, and are making up for what we lost on Dark Matter Dimensions.
- Keyboards no longer being what drives the songs.
CONS
- Drumming boring and predictable.
- Bass barely noticeable.
- Way too short album.
- Lack of verity, halfway through and you won’t hear something new.
RECOMMENDED TRACKS
The Anomaly
Illuminoid Dream Sequence
Domination Agenda
VERDICT
Does the album live up to the fame of Black Pitch Progress? No. Is the album better than Dark Matter Dimensions? Yes. Is it a good album? Yes, all the tracks on the album are really well composed. The vocals have been improved quite a notch. The guitars have never played a more important role. The thing that kills it a bit for me on The Unseen Empire is 3 things. 1 There’s not much variety, 2 the drumming is simply BORING and 3 The album has some strong tracks, but some not so strong ones, and on a album with only 9 songs that can make the difference between liking it and not liking it. Every track on it’s own are strong songs, some maybe better live, but good songwriting. But if you put it together it get’s quite repetitive. Aggressive and melodic, that’s pretty much this album in a not shell. Therefore in my eyes it doesn’t get full score. With that being said, I’m not saying it’s a bad album. Hell, after what I’ve heard from this year in metal it’s probably one of the best. It’s not their best album, and not their weakest and if you’re a Scar Symmetry fan you’ll more than likely like it. It’s not a letdown for me, it’s only not better than expected. Right on the notch a perfectly expectable Scar Symmetry album witch in every intention and purpose beats the *** out of Dark Matter Dimensions.
