Like
I said before many times very young bands may need to ripe and therefore
releasing undecent debuts or already be ready and in this case the results
are stunning; it happened with Death Angel about 20 years ago, then
more frequently especially in the world of Nu-metal or alternative metal,
and it has happened again with these Swedes, whose age ranges from 17
to 22. The reason? It's that in Sweden music is considered an important
subject at school and viewed as culture and the opportunities to play
and grow one's name up are many, no matter what genre it is and the
State really help emerging bands financially. One of the 10,000 reasons
why quality life in Sweden and the rest of Scandinavia is better than
in the remaining world's 200 countries.
That said, Sonic Syndicate have already released 3 EP's and the debut
includes 7 songs from two of them and 3 new tracks; the old compositions
were re-worked and re-recorded at the popular Studio Mega studios (Crown,
Lake of Tears, Beseech), and the result is a powerful sound, where only
the sound of the charleston is a bit artificial and poor, whereas the
kick-drums, the voices and the bass are a bit higher mixed than the
rest; just a little fault within a great and adrenalinic record.
The sonic assault is kicked off by the three new ones, compounding the
first of three segments of the concept which isn't unfortunately matched
by the lyric printing if not online: "Jailbreak" reminds
me of the latest In Flames, especially during the refrain, but the rest
is more wicked, symphonic or screamo and alternative, so we can say
without fear of being belied that the sound of the 6 young musicians
is more composite. "Enhance My Nightmare" stands out
thanks to a killer duet with penetrating male vocals and gentle female
ones in the vein of Nightwish; it's a very groovy song and the more
suitable as a single, with a melancholic break and a cutthroating finalé,
even though they chose the previous song for a clip around the net.
A bit Dimmu Borgir and very Modern metal according to the personality
of Sonic Syndicate, "History Repeats Itself" shows
the power of evil reigning supreme.
The Swedish 6-piece led by the three brothers goes on its opus with
the second darker segment with "Zion Must Fall", which
includes marvellous and majestic riffs and also a superb entwining angry
male rants and screams/keyboards. Probably the highest moment in all
of the record...
After the crushing, malefic and keyboards-ruled "Misanthropic
Coil", it's time for the melodic Power and Nu-metal of "Lament
of Innocence", where main singer Richard Sjunnesson proves
his abilities to modulate at the more disparate tunes without ever cutting
a sorry figure. Another song that remains impressed on one's memory
is "Prelude To Extinction": wicked and brutal vocals
galore alternated with other whispered ones, memorable sideral and disquieting
keyboards. Its A-1 refrain makes that song as KOOOl as a fuck with a
girl, her twin and their mother at the same time!
The third fragment seems more guitar-oriented and therefore more suitable
to those with more metal in their hearts: "Soulstone Splinter"
swims among Dimmu Borgir, Deathstars, Darkane and Dark Tranquillity
shores, followed by "Crowned In Despair"; after listening
to the vocals and the drum patterns I'm sure you'll agree with defining
it the more violent song ever composed by the Sjunnesson crew.
A chance to relax for a while is given by the technological opening
keys lines of "Crowned In Despair", where the back-up
vocals of the newcomer, bassist Karin, appear for the second and last
time to enrich the melancholic guitar plots. Awesome stuff, there's
no doubt.
Finally, "Where the Black Lotus Grows", an excellent
conclusion concocting twisted mid-tempos and thick guitar plots: think
of Paradise Lost, In Flames and Crematory incesting and you'll get to
the point.
An effort more towards a more original stylistic trademark and the six
artists will achieve unbelievable composition peaks. Meanwhile, be aware
we heartilly recommended them to all those who like powerful and sharped
Modern metal.
MARKUS GANZHERRLICH - 20th March 2006