Music Review Vol 1
Posted July 11, 2007
Scar Symmetry - Pitch Black Progress = **
I've had trouble in the past really appreciating certain metal bands from Europe. typically i can get into one or two songs but never an entire album. Bands like Soilwork, In Flames or Meshuggah. I don't know why either. Scar Symmetry is right along with them, except for a couple of differences. The vocalist - Christian lvestam - is quite simply fucking amazing! From death metal growls, hard core screams and some of the greatest melodies this side of Corey Taylor it's a goddamn wonder how he's able to pull it off. to sum up the rest of their sonic attack: destructive riffs, soaring solos, calculated drums and haunting synths. for the most part, fairly stereotypical with their Stockholm sound, but Christian's vocal acrobatics keep them one step ahead of the game (not to mention his entirely clean singing side project Paradigm Shift fucking rule) and keep me rocking out. Key Tracks - The Illusionist, The Kalediscope God, The Oscilation Point.
HIM - Love Metal = **
I've equated Ville Valo and the boys to the modern day Cure. Back in the day, liking the Cure would get you beat up, but even the guys who would do the thrashing secretly appreciated one or two of the singles. the ambiguous nature of the singing, the heartfelt lyrics and just enough energy in the songs to get your foot tapping. HIM is no different, except this time around HIM can get you laid. Love Metal is not nearly as catchy as Razorblade Romance but has more balls than Darklight. It rocks just hard enough for me to not feel like exchanging it. Key Tracks - The Sacrament, Beyond Redemption and Buried Alive By Love.
Type O Negative - Dead Again = **
Recently, I've heard tell that Peter Steele had found god. As one of the most obvious adversaries to the christian way of life, i found this quite amusing. I also found out that he had gone to rehab. he also seems to have wasted away, no longer looking like the gnarled oak tree rather like a weeping willow. Dead Again however still has the signature sounds of Type O but is a little faster paced than usual. It actually kind of . . . . rocks. Steele's signature deep voice has given way to a higher octave this time around, which i'm a little dissapointed by. At any rate, it's not terrible but I don't highly recommend it either. Key Tracks - Halloween in Heaven, She Burned Me Down, Profit of Doom.
VNV Nation - Matter + Form = ****
Ok so maybe i'm a little biased, but simply put these guys can do no wrong by me. Of the three albums i've heard by these cats, Matter + Form seems to be the most.. . . human. Empires and Futureperfect both give the impression that a higher power is doing the talking. a diety contemplating on his achievements with humanity and what they've done for him in return. Matter + Form however, has the feeling of an average mortal trying to understand where's he's come from and what lies ahead. This can really be attributed to the music only tracks that number greater than their previous outings. It's also a fantastic driving album, fast paced enough if you're in a hurry but soothing enough if you just can't get anywhere (due to the idiotic sons of bitches in front of you who refuse to let off the brake for no goddamed reason!). Key Tracks - Chrome, Endless Skies, Perpetual and Lightwaves
