Customer Reviews

Symmetric in Design

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

But Scar Symmetry do not rip off Soilwork in any way. First of all, the vocalist growls as a scream, while Speed just screams with a lower voice in Soilwork's later albums. Their singing is probably what makes the comparison between the 2 bands. So which is better? New soilwork or Scar Symmetry. Definitely Scar Symmetry. Almost every song has a worthwhile guitar solo and while the formula of each song off of Stmmetric In Design is pretty much the same, it is extremely catchy and upbeat. Now how can a growling vocalist adapt to a upbeat happy sound? Well, its possible.

Now, if you are willing to invest in this band, I suggest asking yourself this question. Do I like listening to catchy, fast and to the point melodic death? Or do I like interpretive, heavy melodic death music, as it was originally intended to be? If you like heavier melodic death, I suggest looking up the band called Unmoored because this band has the same vocalist and is highly underrated. Unmoored is much heavier and they sing in the appropriate places, while growling much more.

I give Scar Symmetry 4 stars simply because while every song is worth your attention, it is the equal of a nu-metal type album that is melodic death. This means there is not much variety between the songs and it is just something you would be happy listening to the car and jamming out. And once again, like nu-metal albums, the songs are same in formula which means they have a solo, chorus with catchy singing, and growling in between.

Scar Symmetry are a death metal band with both style and aggression in abundance. Christian Alvestam, (frontman), even looks like he wants to head butt your face through the back of your skull. In short, "Symmetric in Design" is a fest of agressive and pounding death metal, (which keyboards).

What I mentioned in my review for Pitch Black Progress stands true for this album. The percussions are traditional death metal beats for the most part, maintaining a frenetic pace and pounding bass. The guitars make good with the melodies and the solos are all technically excellent.The keyboards, while not overdoing it, add a good level of atmosphere to the music, just hovering in the background and doing their bit. Taken in total, the music is tight and accomplished: everything a death metaller would expect and more.

Vocally, grind and clean combine to provide a unique mix of aggression and melodic range. Alvestam can really sing well, and does both styles exceptionally well.

Personal favourite songs include "Chaosweaver", "Underneath the Surface", "Reborn" and "Hybrid Cult".

Since hearing Scar Symmetry, I have definitely become a fan of theirs and will eagerly await anything else they bring out. Simply awesome death that is innovative and new.

Now, dont get me wrong, this album is great, but it could be godlike. These guys have the potential to be the best melodic death band out there if they just tighten it all together. I cant really put my finger on what seems out of place, but when you listen to songs like "Chaosweaver" "2012- Demise Of The 5th sun" "Obscure Alliance" and "Detach From The Outcome" you really know you are listening to genius at work. Compared to the rest of this album, those 4 songs just blow the rest away. If Scar Symmetry were to come out with this album all over again, I would only include like 6 or 7 songs, all of which would be the best from this CD, except they could leave out all of those mot-so-good songs like "Orchestrate The Infinite" or "Underneath The Surface".

The vocal range on this CD is simply mind blowing. Christian goes from a downright demonic growl to beautiful melodic singing in a heartbeat, and in most of the songs this works absoltely flawlessly, as in "Veil Of Illusions". ALso, he tries some Blck Metal vocals which are really interesting in "Hybrid Cult". The lyrics themselves are also well thought out and actually mean something, unlike some bands where they just spit out words and hope it sounds good.

The guitar work is definetly a highlight here, especially on the opening track "Chaosweaver" (which, might I say here, may be the best melodic death song out) in that track, the lead and rythm guitars of Per Nilsson and Jonas Kjellgren are simply unbelievable, producing a powerful riff (like the amazing one in "Obscure Alliance") which will keep you headbanging throughout the song. "Detach From The Outcome" has one of the best solos ever written, spanning all tones that a guitar can possible produce. The drumming and bass is spot on, especially in songs like "2012- Demise Of The 5th Sun" and "Dominion", where the shredding double bass drumming just pummels you into oblivion.

The only flaw of this CD is the hangtime in between the good songs, the thought of the absolute genius at work in some of these songs will just disappoint you in the thought of how godly this album really could be. But, this is no doubt worth picking up, as it is a very enjoyable CD with some memorable songs. Lets just hope Scar Symmetry will release another ne which will surpass "Symmetric In Design".

Oh my god!! Where did these guys come from???? Third earth??? phew!! Superb melodic metal with clean and death metal vocals... The reason why every melodic metal band succeeded in their quest is because they emphasize their music in melody. Melody will stick in your head for eternity!!! The brutality of growling vocals is intense... Great lead and rythym guitar work. There's nothing like Scar Symmetry in 2005. I highly recommend melodic metal fans to feast on this album!!

this is a superb first effort from Scar Symmetry. Jonas Kjellgren, who was the vocal powerhouse in Carnal Forge, now showcases his guitar skills. this band would be a welcome addition to your collection if you have Soilwork and Fragments of Unbecoming in your collection or if you are a metalhead.

I first heard and listened to SS with their second album Pitch Black Progress (which rocks). I like their newer stuff so much that I bought this one. It is a solid debut, but unless you love their second album, you probably won't like this one a whole lot. The vocals are a little too unpolished for me (both the clean and growls). Musically, this album does showcase the enormous progressive metal potential they have. All in all I think they are a great band to support, and look forward to their 3rd album.

For some context, I was never really into any kind of Death Metal (except for some occasional CoB) before I heard Scar Symmetry about one year ago. Pitch Black Progress was my first album of theirs, and it did take a while to get into and appreciate; I only enjoyed and could remember some of the songs with some of the powerful clean choruses like "Mind Machine", then I put it aside for a few months. However, something must have clicked when I heard Holographic Universe, because after a few listens these two albums have become two of my favorite metal albums of all time, and I've given them many plays through.

I'm giving Symmetric in Design five stars even though I enjoy Pitch Black Progress and Holographic Universe much more, because it still deserves the rating. For one thing, Scar Symmetry does things in this album that they haven't just rehashed in a later release, so whatever order you buy these albums you may be surprised at their song-writing diversity; for example, listen to the simple-but-catchy riffing under the growled chorus of "Obscure Alliance", or the interesting half-clean tense verse vocals of "Hybrid Cult" followed by some Black/Death ones. I think the overall style of this album is closer to HU rather than PBP though because of the occasional use of keyboards and general lyrical themes.

Many of the guitar solos here are also different from the later two releases. A good example is the crazy one in "Detach from the Outcome". Also have to love clear classic-metal influence in the solos from "2012 - Demise of the 5th Sun".

I particularly enjoy the first 7 songs, but the rest are very good as well. Despite what I've heard others mention, the songs "Veil of Illusions" and "Underneath the Surface" are excellent. If you are just getting into the band or want to try out an album, go for PBP or HU first and get this one if you think those are great. The vocals on those two are more polished and distinctive song-tosong, and the riffs feel even more complex and powerful. Any Scar Symmetry album can be appreciated and easily listened to from start to finish, including Symmetric in Design.

Can't wait to see what they do in their 2009 release.

hard and heavy, melodic, catchy...highly recommended

good mix of death and melodic metal. buy it!

Just found out about this band from a friend I heard the song REBORN, and was blown away. As a huge fan of the melodic Deth, I was hooked to this band right away. The Heavy riffs, fast drumming, and vocals are really easy to get into. Both clean and Growling vocals on this album are awesome!!! I could go on and on about how much I love this band, but I'll tell you that if you love metal, then this CD is for you.

Well, what have we here? Scar Symmetry is made of members from various other entities including Theory in Practice and Carnal Forge. Before I had a listen to this, their debut album "Symmetric in Design", I'd read a few positive reviews about it, but I didn't really know what to expect. What it's turned out to be is very much in the vein of Soilwork, but with much more of a technical death metal side to it.

For anyone wanting to give the album a listen, I urge you to listen to more than the first 20 seconds before making up your mind, as the first moments sound something like Iron Maiden. It's a strange opening, since the rest of the album doesn't sound anything like it. Soon enough we are dished out some seriously shredding technical guitar work, awesome powerful drumming and fantastically brutal guttural vocals.

But this really does sound like Soilwork, including having clean vocals mixed with screaming and shouting vocals. The only thing that makes it sound any different at all is the added keyboards and extra technicality due to some very impressive guitar wizardry. So should Scar Symmetry be written off as a clone? Normally I'd say yes, but I have found "Symmetric in Design" to be far more enjoyable than anything Soilwork have put out in a long time. Check out track 2 ("2012 - The Demise of the 5th Sun"), to see how tight and brutal these guys are. The little sci-fi keyboard additions add depth to the album without ever taking centre stage. The death vocals are some of the best I've heard in a while, the solos are fantastic and the drummer is like a machine.

Unfortunately, the album does lull around track 6 or 7, losing a bit of steam, but overall I'm very impressed with "Symmetric in Design". If they didn't sound so blatantly like Soilwork, I'd give them a really high score, but I can't ignore it so I'm going to go for a very solid 4. Maybe with the next album, they can get their own sound and create something truly breathtaking, as the talent and enthusiasm is abundant within the ranks. Impressive debut!