Customer Reviews

Pitch Black Progress

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Scar Symmetry, one of the few bands worthy of the title "supergroup", quickly return to the fold after the solid debut entitled Symmetric in Design. It's true that if you listen to Symmetric in Design and Pitch Black Progress in the same day, you could say they didn't really stray too far from where they went on the debut, BUT I'd say they improved the formula about ten-fold. In terms of sheer diversity, Pitch Black Progress is my new example of how it's done right. Not one of the songs on this disc reminds me of another, and this is due to several things. While some may say Scar Symmetry are "one more melodic death band", their songwriting and technical ability bury just about all bands currently in the genre. Instead of just focusing on catchy choruses (of which there are many), they pay attention to the subtle details beneath as well. They don't write ho-hum riffs that repeat the ground that has beaten to death by thousands of At the Gates and In Flames ripoffs. Going through the album, you'll hear hints of anything from Megadeth to Strapping Young Lad to Cannibal Corpse to Edge of Sanity to Dream Theater. Pitch Black Progress also manages to avoid the "more brutal yet more melodic" curse. "Calculate the Apocalypse" relentlessly opens in what can only be described as SYL gone death metal. The title-track is no-frills death metal and "Retaliator" maintains a frantic pace throughout while "Slaves to the Subliminal" somehow balances a brutal, death metal verse that is countered by one of the most melodic choruses the band has done. For those seeking a more epic, mid-paced song, "Mind Machinery", "The Kaleidoscope God" and "Dreaming 24/7" will certainly fill that void.

As I've mentioned, the guitarwork is stunning but the soloing and leads deserve some extra praise. Every solo here is memorable to the point that one could pinpoint the solo and match it to the song. "The Kaleidoscope God" is a case in point, at over 7 minutes it displays some of the most epic soloing on the disc and weaves in some keyboards to enhance the effect. Anyone silly enough to think that bands like Shadows Fall and Trivium are 'bringing back the solo' would do well to check this disc out to see soloing done right.

Of course I wouldn't be able to end this review without mentioning the biggest standout element on the disc: the vocals of Christian Alvestam. I've followed his work since Unmoored's Kingdoms of Greed and this is by far the strongest performance he's done. Thats actually downplaying it though, as his work on Pitch Black Progress fulfills the band's promo-sheet of singing "every style of singing known to metal" and proves his namesake as the genre's most diverse and underappreciated vocalist. This might be the best vocal performance I've heard, regardless of genre. I do not remember the last time a vocal performance left me so slack-jawwed. "Oscillation Point" features one of the most epic and powerful choruses I've heard in metal. Other songs, like "Retaliator" and "The Path of Least Resistance", display incredibly smooth transitions between multiple vocal styles. His ability to bellow low, intelligible growls to black metal rasps to clean singing that puts most power metal and mainstream bands to shame is simply unprecedented.

The backing instruments, meaning the bass, drums, and keys are all wonderfully solid as well. Henrik's drumming is intense and frantic or mellow and subdued when necessary and the bass gives the band a nice, thundering sound on occasion. The keyboards really bring in additional layers without sounding cheesy and overblown. Closer "Deviate From the Form" is aptly named with the heavier key usage that changes its pace from the rest of the disc. I've already mentioned this effect on "The Kaleidoscope God", but other tracks like opening of "The Illusionist" and "Carved in Stone" are equally good representations. Guitarist Jonas Kjellgren's production gives the band a clear sound that is both futuristic and meaty.

I think the point has become abundantly clear that Pitch Black Progress is an extraordinary album. In fact, I don't think I've been this excited about a cd in years. This is the quintessential template for what melodic death should sound like and a landmark album for the genre. It's early in the year, but I dare anyone to find a better album than Pitch Black Progress.

I hesitate to use the term "melodeath" to describe some bands like Dark Tranquility and the like, because the term has a negative connotation among some people. Yet, I can't think of a better term to describe this release from Scar Symmetry. It is melodic, and has death growls, but the lyrics aren't Satanic or brainless lyrics about death. Like many more recent bands of their ilk, Scar Symmetry uses the death growls in the verses and clean vocals in the chorus. Yet one of the things that seperates "Pitch Black Progress" from the rest of the melodeath bands out there is the death growls are powerful, no hardcore or metal-core screaming to be found here. Then the choruses, the use of clean vocals isn't awkward like most bands of the genre. This guy actually has talent. The choruses are powerful, like something you would find from a power metal band, yet less cheesy. The riffs are decent, the drumming is good. There's also some awesome guitar-work going on throughout the album, especially in the soloing department. It's nowhere near as good as Arch Enemy or early Soilwork, but is impressive nonetheless. "The Illusionist" is a strong opener, setting the pace for the rest of the album. "Calculate the Apocalypse" and "Oscillation Point" are the strongest tracks on here, powerful choruses and great soloing. They don't deviate much from their main formula, but there's no filler or weak tracks to be found, no failed experiments either. While there's no innovation in an already crowded genre, Scar Symmetry do what they do, and do it well. Definitely recommended.

As we all may notice, if we listen to bands like In Flames and Soilwork, the biggest of Sweden's Melo/Death acts have been trying to push for bigger audiences by attempting to steal the former nu-metal fan bases in America. Unfortunately, it marks them as potential sell-outs and forces them to re-visit and revise their sounds (best examples are In Flames' "Come Clarity" and Soilwork's "Stabbing the Drama") in order to gain their respect in their more hardcore metal fans. Then enter a band like Scar Symmetry. Pulling the right strings and stealing the thunder of these more well known and popular acts by combining the best of the Melo/Death genre with the likes of Opeth style progressive insturment work and clean vocals. This isn't the half of it...

When I first heard Scar Symmetry's "Symmetric in Design", I heard something that I haven't heard in a long time. A great melo/death album that stands up there with Dark Tranquillity's "Projector" and In Flames' "Whoracle"; an album full of great vocals (both the clean and the death growls), great instrumental work, and, generally, a great sound. It astounded me that a melo/death band was finally coming to take it back into the underground. After the release of "Pitch Black Progress", I realized that this group wasn't only taking it back, but reinventing the melo/death "steel" if you will; giving the genre some new and much deserved lifeforce.

"Pitch Black Progress" has many a stand out track; including the amazing opener "The Illusionist", the title track "Pitch Black Progress" (one of the heaviest on the CD), "Calculate the Apocalypse" (which contains this heavy, mind-blowing death metal opening with some actual "blasting" behind the drum kit), "Dreaming 24/7" (the "ballad" of this album with clean vocal work to die for), and "Retaliator" (shows the extent of their Opeth-like roots in the opening seconds of the track). Every track on this album deserves to be listened to over and over again because of how great they are. Full of great vocals, great metal riffs and huge solo work by the band's guitarists, and the awesome ambience provided by their master behind the keys. I actually find this CD to be better than the previous Scar Symmetry release.

In closing, if there is one band to pay attention to in this genre over the next several years it is this band. Scar Symmetry brings a great amount of talent and skill into the slowly draining pool that is the melo/death genre. As long as they stick to their program, Scar Symmetry could become a major influencing force behind the metal bands of the future (much like their counterparts in In Flames and Soilwork).

This band is really incredible. Their first album, was an impressive piece of melodic/death metal, and now came with this masterpiece in all proportions. Exquisite guitar riffs, amazing drums and incredible vocals. This album is absolutely on the top five albums of 2006.

This CD Rocks! from beginning to end. I just found out about this band per chance reading reviews of CD's. I have been into Mercenary, Nevermore, Opeth, Dream Theater for awhile, this band is right there with them. Who says that Metal is dead? Some of my favorite tracks are the following: The Illusionist, Mind Machine, Dreaming 24/7, Carved Stone..just to name a few. I used to hate growling vox, but since Opeth has opened my mind to it as long as the music kix butt...then I always give it a chance...well this CD is definetly worth giving a chance if you love METAL!!

Scar Symmetry is essentially a Gothenburg style death metal band, and indeed they remind me strongly of Dark Tranquility (whose new godly masterpiece is in the wings!)and early and present Soilwork. But on top of it I hear some Fear Factory (Mind Machine, Calculate the Apocalypse) and even (!)Depeche Mode (Illusionist,Oscillation Point etc.), I mean this as a compliment to the vocalist who can switch between death, black, core and clean, almost opera vocals-that's one man! This has not worked so well since Burton C. Bell! The melodies and arrangements of every song is humbling to any musician, as influences include even a lot of classical music, and the use of keyboards. The idea is to create MUSIC and if it happens that every song is also metal, oh well LOL. The greatest melody is definitely in "Oscillation Point" followed by "Illusionist" but I would be hard pressed to find a filler on this album or a lesser song even. One of the most profound accomplishments in modern metal and in my personal Top 5 of 2006 best! Get this and their debut "Symmetric in Design" like I did...Scar Symmetry "Pitch Black Progress" is worth any money next to Into Eternity (everything)! Michael Stanne and Michael Akerfeld would be proud!

Holy crap, this band is good.

Imagine 1/4 death metal and 1/4 power metal. Now magine 1/4 Opeth and 1/4 Dream Theatre. Now imagine Vinnie Moore (or some other melodic and well rounded shredder) on guitars. It is that good.

I have just gotten into death metal vocals (I am from the 80's Yngwie school of opeatic vocals or the Metallica/Megadeth school of "yelling a lot"), but this band has emotive and poweful clean singing AND convincing death grunts...from the same guy! He is the best overall singer I have heard since Russell Allen from Symphony X or the guy from Opeth.

The songs are well written and the musicainship is excellent. Lots of guitar solos that are technically brillaint, yet are hummable and fit the song.

Buy this album!

this album is just simply amazing. every song from start to finish is great. and yes they do have simularitys to eairly soilwork, but they are very much themselves. they can be pretty progressive at times too with some difficult lines and cuts. their vocalist is perfect. he growls, screams, sings normal and high vocals. hes just great. the drums are great. they have alittle bit of a fear factory feel to them at times. the bass is tight and sticks out well on a few parts. and the guitars are just amazing. there are 2 guitarists in the band. they bolth are great and solo back and forth allot. they also do great harmonys together. i like them because they bolth have distinct sounds to them. u can always tell with guitarist is soloing. one has a really heavy shredding sound. does allot of tapping. and the other guy has a hell of a tone. very smooth sound. and very original. he plays some great lines. has a really good technec. he sounds simular to a great guitarist called allen holdsworth. they also have some really nicely layerd keyboards on some songs. well all in all they are a great band. and i highly recommend this album. best melodic death metal album of 06.

Pitch Black Progress - SCAR SYMMETRY

-

This is my first into Scar Symmetry and I must say overall I am quite pleased with `Pitch Black Progress'... I have listened to this album a half dozen times now and I am still unlocking more with each listen.

Now, one might ask, `what does Scar Symmetry sound like?' which is a pretty loaded question. They blend in quite a few influences of styles... Melodic, Death, Tech, Prog and then some! Vocally it contrasts progressive-style clean channel vocals with death growls. No one might be quick to jump to the `Opeth' claim, but truthfully with the exception of being from Sweden there is little common between these two groups. Vocally it sounds more like Amorphis' last album `Eclipse' albeit a little more of an 80's sounding clean singing. The guitar playing is exceptional, Jonas Kjellgren & Per Nilsson are a mighty duo able to rival many of their fellow countrymen. The rhythm section is the powerful force which holds SS together... consisting of Kenneth Seil (bass) and Henrik Ohlsson (drums). Ohlsson deserves some special mention for he clearly understands dynamics and uses a very appropriate amount of double kickers and blasts during the heavier parts and a very nice eclectic style during the more melodic parts.

The hardest part for me to get into this band was getting past the clean vocals... not because they bad, they just sound a bit `dated'. I love the clean singing of Mikeal Akerfeldt (Opeth), Chris Krall (Into Eternity) and Tomi Jotson (Amorphis) but Christian Älvestam just seems to fall a bit a short in comparison to these mighty masters. However Scar Symmetry is a new band and they have ample potential to become one of the shining stars in the struggling Melo-Death genre.

Favorite Songs: Slaves To The Subliminal, The Illustionist, Deviate From The Form, and The Kaleidoscopic God,

-4.5 Stars

IF YOU LIKED, AGREED OR APPRECIATED THIS. PLEASE CLICK YES FOR:

"Was this review helpful?"

I don't care how you classify this album. Melo-death/technical progressive metal...whatever. Sometimes a band can take a formula and just plain, flat-out do it right. I would say that Scar Symmetry's biggest assest is they know how to write good, catchy songs.

The vocalist is AMAZING. He reminds me of an unpolished Russell Allen at times, which fits the music perfectly. Then he also growls and screams in every way possible. This young man is very talented.

This is an instant classic in my mind. I haven't been able to get it out of my CD player in my car for over a month now. If you are a death metal fan you will like this. If you are a progressive metal fan you will like this. If you love guitars, drums, great vocals, great production, and great musicianship...you will like this!

Kudos to Scar Symmetry. They get it. They understand a great heavy riff and memorable catchy choruses. They also construct awesome solos. All of their influences shine through here.

Well done. This is the album of the year in 2006, by far!!!