This album blows my mind!!!!!
Scar Symmetry is my second all time favorite band and "Holographic Universe" is defintely my second favorite album i own. I'd say my two favorite songs on it are "Fear Catalyst" and "Morphogenesis." EVERY song on this album is freakin' awesome and Christian has the most amazing vocals on here. He is defintely one of my vocal idols, and if i were to ever get a band together i would want my vocals similar without copying. That, and i'd also want to sound as close as possible, again, without copying. But, this just the most album to come this year by far!!!!
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Scar Who?
I stumbled upon this album on accident, and I'm damn glad I did. I checked out their back log of albums after hearing this album; and while both their prior albums are gems, this album is their best so far. The album defies any single particular genre of metal; IE power or death metal, but rather has a mix of...everything. Scar Symmetry is similar to Into Eternity or Opeth in that their songs are everywhere but they manage to make it work. As in they REALLY work. That's where the similarities end though. This is one of those rare bands that doesn't sound like anyone. Everything here works - the violent shifts from melodic to crushing, the savage growls, the sing-along choruses, the heavy riffs, everything.
The opening track gives you a good idea of what to expect on this album. It doesn't take long into the song for the melody to give way to brutal heaviness...which in turn quickly gives way to a sing-along chorus. The song is complex with several layers and tempo shifts. The 2nd track manages to crush with its opening riffs...but like the opener changes violently into a melodic beast. Every song on the albums is this way, and every song manages to sound different. Making every song unique from the other is a feat in itself - making them interesting is an altogether different beast. Track 4 even opens with a violin. Track 9; Prism and Gate, may be my favorite track. It opens with some BRUTAL heaviness. But then an addictive chorus comes out of left field. I don't know how to explain how the chorus is so addictive, other than that similar to the album's tempo changes the chorus changes tones? I'm at a loss as how to explain it, you will probably just have to listen for youself. The closing track threatens to be the obligatory ballad. Just when you begin to accept the fact, and begin to enjoy the beautiful vocals- come some booming drums and blow the ballad theory out of the water.
The problem with reviewing an album like this is that it can actually be summed up quite easily. Every song contains melody, clean vocals, growls, shrieks, crunchy guitars, blast beats, guitar solos, and most importantly, suprises. Fans of Opeth should particularly enjoy this band, as should anyone that doesn't mind a bit of extreme heaviness in their music.
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Impressive!
Wow! I had only just heard of Scar Symmetry within the past year. I just picked this release up and was blown away! It was so exciting to hear a band with a fresh, yet heavy sound. These guys have definitely broken away from the mainstream sound and created their own niche. My standout tracks are 1,2,4 and 10. This whole album is sick! Pick it up! You won't be disappointed.
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