Review Summary: A solid follow up to their debut, but 'Synchronicity' is a little on the predictable side.
There's a lot to be said about Mutiny Within, but there is a short version of this story. After the self titled debut album released in 2010, the band toured for a while, then disappeared. After a short time, the band stated that they would be on a temporary hiatus due to the bands lack of funds to continue their project. After further research, it was discovered that their album sold just over 10,000 copies. However, there were over 100,000 copies pirated across the world. The singer argued that no band would be able to sustain themselves on those types of numbers. By 2011, Mutiny Within was forgotten.
It's a shame that bands like Mutiny Within aren't more successful, cause their first album felt very refreshing. Blazing guitar solo's, complex drum patterns, and a vocalist with soaring range and a killer scream. Although this can be said for a million bands, Mutiny Within were able to present it the old fashioned way, meaning they didn't sound like the average metal band. The first album has a very balanced mix of screaming and singing; low notes and high notes. Also, the melodies themselves are very catchy, and flow well. There also aren't any songs that sound like filler; they all seem to play their own part in telling the story of the album. One would argue however, that for as talented as this band is, they suffer from the disease of predictability.
To start with the negatives of 'Synchronicity', this albums overall presentation follows directly in the footsteps of its prior, feeling at times, very repetitive. More than once it feels like the same song repeating itself. The album also seems to be a lower budget production than the first, with some songs being way more quiet than others, even though they are rocking just as hard as the ones before them. There are also weird, unprofessional fade outs here and there, that will go from full volume to fade to silence within a 3-4 second period, which seemed to throw off the groove of the album for a brief time. Luckily though, there is more good in this album than bad.
'Synchronicity' does get a few things right vocally on this album that seemed like an improvement to the first. For most, it will become immediately apparent that Chris's screams are stronger and at a wider range; "In My Veins" and "Machines" are a good example, as he screams really high, but also a very low growl. The melodies definitely continue down the path of catchiness in this album as well, and many fans will find themselves trying to sing along even through their first listen. Instrumentally, 'Synchronicity' is very sound. Yet it fails to do anything impressive outside of what the first album has already done.
To sum up, this is a really solid record overall. Mutiny Within don't really push the boundaries here, but they are very good at what they do. Fans will love this album, but those who didn't like their first effort won't think any different of the second one. Hopefully though, Mutiny Within will see more positive sales off this record because they have a lot of potential they have yet to fully harness.
