Customer Reviews

Godspeed

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Symphorce-Godspeed
5
By: Clifford Newsted

I discovered Symphorce about two years ago; it was the recommendation of a friend. At the time Symphorce had released their last record entitled Twice Second. I wasn't too keen on the band. I couldn't hear anything that they were doing that stood apart from the pack. When they released Godspeed I was a little weary of taking the gamble again. The difference between Godspeed and the last record is like night and day. I was floored; I had to pop the disc out to see that it was the same band. In fact, it was and they have returned with their strongest material to date. They are just where they should be, they have progressed. They have perfected their sound, and rather than sounding like many bands they sound unique and like nothing I have heard before. They blend progressive metal, traditional metal, thrash metal riffs, I also hear some Disturbedisms happening on guitar, and traditional power metal. There's stuff on this record for everyone, the production is superb, strong songs, catchy choruses, and great vocals, off the hook musicianship. Godspeed could be a hits record by it's self, my favorite tracks on the album are "No Shelter," "Nowhere," "Haunting," "Without a Trace," and "The Mirrored Room." I have to add that the first three tracks on Godspeed set the tone, they followed the formula of all classic albums, and they put three strong tracks at the beginning. I also might add that "Nowhere" has this guitar intro that is very reminiscent of Metallica's "Sanitarium(Welcome Home)," which I find truly fascinating! Symphorce will chart in your top 10 of 2005, just give them a spin.

And very underrated. I rank this just right behind Brainstorms Liquid Monster. That album is still my album of the year and Ive bought 30 more records since that one. Well this is a close second. This is definetely a mix of power/thrash and yes Nu metal , but damn it it isnt some of the best Nu metal youll here. Its a little more straight a head compared to Nevermore , not as technical. Every song has something catchy or memorable about it. Some songs lead right into another but all sound totally different. Sascha's drumming is spot on and sharp as a razor. Some songs he does what he needs to help to song and others whod think he was the main guy in the band. Bass rumblings are quite audible, guitars are killer and the production beats the hell outta twice second. If only Serenity and Fallen were on this disk, itd be a 10 star a affair for me.

Symphorce once again delivers the goods with 'Godspeed!' Ultra heavy and crushing riffs, blazing solos, a tight pounding ryhthm section, and top notch melodic vocal melodies by Andy Frank pretty much sums up what this very underated band has delivered consistently the past 3 albums.

Symphorece's music can best be described as a mix between Brainstorm and Nevermore with just a hint of Nu-Metal elements (not in a bad way like most nu-metal). Their music will appeal to fans of those bands as well as Tad Morose or Angel Dust.

On to the album, there is no need to break down each song as almost every song is great after repeated listenings although the first 3 cuts are probaly the best. I will say the production on this album is much improved over 'Twice Second' also. If you liked their last 2 efforts knowbody will disappointed with 'Godspeed' as Symphorce continue to expand on the sound they have developed for themselves.

On an unfortunate note I see some of their previous album ratings have dipped on amazon because of some bitter 'Pain of Salvation' fans. I am not going to explain the whole story but many of their fans have intentionly ripped and brought down the scores of some previous Symphorce albums out of anger and bitterness. All that I can say is that Andy is a good guy that made a mistake with a few lyrics and owned up to it. Come on 'POS' fan, show a little more class?

In conclusion, 'Godspeed' is definately a top 5 album of 2005! No surprise that the new Nevermore(TGE) and Brainstorm (Liquid Monster) are also on that list as well. 'Godspeed' is a must have for anyone who likes their metal heavy, modern, yet still melodic!

2005's Godspeed is the fifth album from German power metal band Symphorce, a band put together by Brainstorm vocalist Andy Franck that, to nobody's surprise, sounds an awful lot like Brainstorm, if a bit heavier. The band had been steadily improving over the course of four albums, but with Godspeed they definitely upped their game and became one of the better bands in the power metal genre.

I love the overall heaviness of this album. Symphorce has always taken a heavier approach to power metal (a lot of bands seem to have forgotten the "power" part of the term), but Godspeed is just crushing. The riffs and rhythms are completely heavy, and Franck's always-powerful voice seems that much more thundering on these songs. There's still a good sense of melody, but you won't find any sing-song Freedom Call-type songs on this album. It's pure fist-raising, headbanging power metal. The overall production seems better as well.

If you're a fan of heavy melodic power metal along the lines of Tad Morose, Morgana Lefay and especially Brainstorm, Symphorce is well worth checking out, and Godspedd is the perfect place to start.

This band keeps getting better with every album, nice too see bands keeping it real unlike todays garbage nu-bands. This is great metal with a unique twist! Awesome job.

I just got this - So I am late to the party, so what. Anyway, great band. It definitely doesn't take very long to grow on you. Within 2 listens I was hooked. Definitely a good addition to my metal collection.

This is the 5th album from Symphorce & like my title of this review says Symphorce has FINALLY arrived! If you are a fan of Brainstorm (Andy B. Franck is lead singer of both Symphorce & Brainstorm) then this album will definitely give you power metal at it's highest degree! Now I don't know if it was Andy's intention to put the "Brainstorm elements" into Symphorce's sound but regardless it only helped improve the band. Also, the production on this CD is top notch which is something that Brainstorm fans are used to. Track after track is addicting, so don't hesitate to add this one to your metal collection!

They're pretty much just straight ahead power metal with occasional thrash/speed metal tendencies. In fact they remind me a bit of Armored Saint at times. Nowhere does have some similarities to Evergrey, if ever so slightly. Black Water has a bit of a Nu-Metal feel to it, though not necessarily a condemning amount. The singer does have a great metal voice and is probably the main selling point of this band. He can hit the high notes with a lot of power. On Your Cold Embrace he does his best Dave Mustaine imitation which is actually pretty close to Dave's snarl. Without a Trace sounds similar to Iced Earth in how the refrains are handled.

I think this recording will appeal to fans of standard power metal music. It's mixed rather well. While the instrumentation isn't spectactular by metal god standards; it's still high quality. They've recorded some very nice hooks and some great heavy passages. The vocalist however is well above average for the genre. He has excellent range and power. This is actually becoming one of my favorite metal cd's of the last couple years.

Finally, after 4 previous decent albums, a few lyrics being ripped off, Symphorce prove to us why they've been together as a band now. GODSPEED is the culmination of efforts for the band, and Andy's vocals have never sounded better. With tracks like "Wounds Will Cast Within" and the absolutely mesmerizing "Nowhere," Symphorce not only have broken away from the pack, they've made one of the best melodic metal releases of 2005. Andy sings with genuine passion, the drumwork is always timely and never intrusive, and the guitar/basswork is as catchy as anything out there. No, they aren't any masters of the chords, but this is metal the way it is meant to be! GODSPEED makes their previous 4 discs seem like a long march to greatness, not a failed attempt at metal glory anymore!

A little of Brainstorm here and a touch of Nevermore there, but with their own style. Symphorce really did with this masterpiece. The guitar work is great, and the vokills superb. My favorites are:"Everlasting life" and "Nowhere". Andy B. is underrated.