| CD REVIEW Sonic Syndicate |
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Band : Sonic Syndicate For a history-of-the-band, check out the review done by yours truly of this Swedish band's second album Only Inhuman (posted 15/05/2007). If you'll look that up, you'll find out I didn't know at the time whoim might be the one playing the keyboard parts which were so important to the Gothic touch of this band's melodic Death Metal...well, I ain't sure if he's still part of the band at the moment, but one Andreas Märtensson at least played on the debut album of the band. Also, a small typing error needs to be corrected: the bassist/ backing singer (and what an incredible Death Growl she indeed has!) is actually named Karin Axelsson (not Axlesson)! Prior to releasing this full-length, Sonic Syndicate saw the release of the album's first single Jack Of Diamonds (track available at myspace.com/sonicsyndicate alongside 3 songs off the previous album; a video for the track was also made) in late June. The single was radio premiered on Swedish station Bandit Rock, and was catapulted to the N°1 requested tune.Meanwhile, dates to the upcoming European tour with In Flames (and Gojira) were being added on a day-to-day basis. Then, when Arch Enemy canceled their July 18 appearance at the Swedish Rock Weekend Festival, Sonic Syndicate were invited to replace 'em (another interesting festival was Germany's Summer Breeze). While listening to the album, I suddenly realised that two tracks (namely "My Escape" and "Contradiction")havenoroughvocalsatall and are also somewhat calmer overall, thus getting somewhat of a ballad feel. I kinda wondered, was there such moments on the previous album, and did I miss them? Upon checking, I indeed found out that this was the case with the track "Enclave". Another thing I found out is that Karin, who's still the backing singer on both tracks, has a somewhat nasal but otherwise very warm and deep "normal" voice. Meaning the band had upped the portion of "calmer" songs on this album (when compared to Only Inhuman)...but of course "calmer" is only relative! Otherwise, you're still getting an exhillerating Goth tinted melodic Death Metal enhanced with atmospheric keyboards. Check it out for yourselves once the album hits the stores (hey, maybe it's a good idea to re-check in on the band's MySpace too, as they just might add some more songs off the new album). If you wanna decide about bying the new album only after having heard some of the new songs in live conditions, the tour starts in the UK on September 27 and goes on untill November 2 (a date added to please the Gothenburg fans, as Nov. 1 was completely sold out already in late July). I have to say, at the moment I checked (and the situation may well have changed since, because there were still some days open) nothing was planned for either Holland or Belgium...so maybe you'll have to go to the store to get acquainted with the band's latest material after all! I gave Only Inhuman an almost perfect rating, and with a greater understanding of what each member's role is in the band (thanks to an even closer and intense listening than before) I cannot for the life of me do less for this new album, as it is still as captivating as its predecessor! In other words: food for the "Best Albums Of 2008"-list, lads and gals! 98/100 Tony. |