JUSTIN’S METAL REVIEWS W/C
23/6/08
SCAR SYMMETRY / HOLOGRAPHIC
UNIVERSE
There are only two things you really need to know about Scar
Symmetry, one, they’re Swedish and two, they play
Melodic Death Metal, what more do you need?
Ok so, you want a little more, there is sound is similar to
Soilwork, In Flames with more of a Symphony X Progressive feel to them,
given them a complexity and feel that really does set them apart from the rest,
the mix of melodic and growling vocals work really well especially on tracks
like “Morphogenesis”, “Artificial Sun Projector” or “Timewave Zero” where the short, musical lead guitar breaks
come into their own. All the tracks
are as tight as it is possible get, in particular the interplay between, drums,
bass and keyborads and when its your 3rd
album it doesent come much slicker than
this.
If you haven’t come across Scar Symmetry before you have not
been listening to my HFM show, so rectify this soon, or just go and buy one of
their albums, also listen out for: “Trapezoid”, “Fear Catalyst”, “The
Three-Dimensional Shadow” and “Prism & Gate”, a well deserved album of the
week.
WEBSITE http://www.scarsymmetry.com/ & http://www.nuclearblast.de/
TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 57 mins
DAYLIGHT DIES / LOST TO THE LIVING
This is the 3rd album from American Doom Metal
band Daylight Dies and continues the good work started by its predecessor’s,
musically they are in the same vein as fellow Americans Novembers Doom, Omnium Gatherum and British band
My Dying Bride and for Doom Metal they are quite up tempo with a strong Melodic
in content.
All the songs are dark, moody, sombre, melancholy affairs
and explore the negative emotions to the full with a haunting quality that for
me is hard to resist, I’m not a psychologist but if you’re feeling really down
there is nothing like listening to something very dark and moody to help lighten
your mood and it probably say’s a lot about my psyche / personality than I
realise. The only way to listen to
this is to totally immerse yourself and get lost in the
splendid darkness of “Cathedral” and “A Subtle Violence”, the simple, evocative
beauty of “Woke Up Lost” or “At A Loss”, preferably with headphones to get the
full effect, which for me is stunning.
I don’t see how anyone can really listen to a song like “A Portrait In White” and not be totally bowled
over.
Doom Metal is an acquired taste but trust me, once you get
into it, its very addictive but very well worth it and
you will find yourself wanting to hear more.
WEBISTE http://www.daylightdies.com/ & http://www.candlelightrecords.com/
TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 52 mins + 9
TRACKS
MOTLEY CRUE / SAINTS OF LOS
ANGELES
2008 has seen the return of a plethora of Classic Rock
bands, Whitesnake, Def Leopard, Judas Priest, Uriah
Heep, Journey, Offspring and now Motley Crue, who have returned to their former
glory.
So what do MC 2008 sound like, well there are no surprises
here, what you do get is prime, Motley Crue sounding
almost as good as they did back in the 80’s, when albums like Girls, Girls, Girls and Dr.
Feelgood were in style, if you liked the first digital
single, which is also the title of the album you will know what to expect. The Crue were
at their best when they write the good time party songs that they became know
for and this new album is no exception as “Down At The Whisky”, “Girls =
Trouble” and “Welcome To The Machine” (and no it’s not a Pink Floyd cover)
demonstrate perfectly well, whatever problems the band had have been put aside
and all efforts concentrated back into the band and it
shows.
If like me, you loved the Crue for
what they were you will be well pleased with the results and like all the bands
mentioned above, it proves that just because you’re longer in the tooth, doesn’t
mean you cant put out really good and viable albums that can keep the fans happy,
welcome back guys, you’ve been missed.
WEBSITE http://www.motleycrue.com/
TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 44 mins + 13
ROCKING TRACKS