Band: Scar Symmetry
Title: The Unseen Empire
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Distribution: Nuclear Blast Records - PIAS
Release date: April 15th 2011
Review: CD

This is an example of popping up hugely out of the blue… Scar Symmetry were (are) some super-formation with well-known names within the more extreme Metal scene from Sweden, and every recording got reviewed rather positively all over the globe (I think I must be one of the lesser positive reviewers). Symmetric In Design (Metal Blade), Pitch Black Progress (as from this album on: Nuclear Blast), Holographic Universe and Dark Matter Dimensions were interesting and genre-surpassing efforts, and the performance was superb, not only because of the experienced members, yet because of the past co-operations of the members as well.
Most shocking fact in Scar Symmetry’s existence, making abstraction of the ‘music’ itself, must be the departure of original singer Christian Älvestam shortly after the release of the third full length, who got replaced by clean vocalist Lars Palmqvist and growler Robban Karlsson – the latter involved with major bands and projects like Edge Of Sanity, Pan.Thy.Monium, Solar Dawn, Devian and Incapacity, amongst tens of others.
Anyway, the sextet brings a logical successor with The Unseen Empire. Elements from all former recordings, with some new additions, drawing inspiration from different angles, and concretising the whole with craftsmanship and persuasion, that’s the core of this album (which, by the way, lasts for forty three minutes).
And my impression about all former efforts does not differ this time either. Some parts are magisterial, many pieces stink.
Gothenburg-alike melodies, some slightly old school-oriented Swedish Death Metal elements, and lots of modern things, including the clean vocals, clean sound (read: sterile, bah!); predictable, catchy, unchallenging and anti-provocative. It sounds as if MTV and some let’s sensor all extremities’ organisation were involved with the recording process. Money talks?
The intention is all right. The actual result is not. Disappointing, for knowing that these guys are involved with bands and / or projects that are so much more interesting. Personal opinion, for being a fan of less commercialised, more deadly or blackened stuff. But it does not matter: this album is a safe recording.
Another meaning: it will do well; the international scene will welcome this shit with smelly pleasure.
And even I have to admit that this time I am not completely nauseous after listening to the whole album (even though, as said before, I nearly need to puke with some excerpts).
I’ll give up, you better decide yourself, of course. In case you like(d) the former albums, you will adore this effort; if you couldn’t stand the past, you still will not become a fan suddenly, I guess…
Oh yes, I want to add something positive as well: Robban’s grunts rule!

70/100

Ivan Tibos.