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Symphorce - Twice Second


*
=Staff's pick

Fallen*
Tears
Whatever Hate Provides*
Cause Of Laughter
In The Cold*
Take What's Mine
Face Of Pain
Searching*
Two Seconds To Live
Cry On My Shoulder


Genre Metal
Andy B. Franck
Vocals
Tracks 10
Cédric Dupont
Guitar
Runningtime 48 Min.
Markus Pohl
Guitar
Label Metal Blade
Dennis Wohlbold
Bass
Release 12 Jan. 2004
Sascha Sauer
Drums
Country Germany
-
Keyboards
Similar artists Evergrey, Brainstorm

Symphorce has never really made much of an impact on me before with any of their 3 previous releases, and that mainly because I have had a hard time keeping up an interest in the music for more than a few songs at the time since it all tend to melt together to a wall of sound without much melodies. There are too many riffs that just goes on like a wall of sound and don't contain enough melodies to become something else than just - sounds. That is the reason to why I can only categorize this as "metal" and not something more specific. The progressive elements are still present in the same amount as before - not too much, but enough to make it a bit more special compared to most bands.

What differs from previous releases with Symphorce is that this time there are actually songs that are standing out and has personality, but without reaching any melodic heights this time either. It is heavier and a bit more aggressive this time compared to the earlier releases, and it feels more distinct with sharper riffs and a clear will to make an impact. The atmosphere throughout the album is the caracteristic, a bit gloomy and thoughtful darker approach. The voice of Andy B. Franck (also vocalist of Brainstorm) is also finally acceptable and enjoyable which I have never been able to say until now, since he has a special way of singing that before have not appealed to me.

This album has its clear ups and downs. While there are songs that are brilliant in their structure and ability to feel groovy, yet bonehard there are some that says absolutely nothing to the listener - Cause Of Laughter and Take What's Mine is a perfect example of that. Slow, spacy and a bit flipped out with a minimum of melodies. Whereas for example Whatever Hate Provides, In The Cold and Searching hits it directly on the spot when it comes to energy and to-the-point metal and in these moments Symphorce manage to bring forth the talent they have and create good metal.

I can't help to constantly think and feel that all of this, and also the previous releases, could be so much better of they had made more out of it. Spiced it with a tiny bit more melodies and arranged everything a bit differently. It is obvious that everyone in the band is sincere and honest about metal, but it too often feels like the music is "just there" without grabbing hold of you.

This is an improvement and now we are getting somewhere, but it's still a bit too nonsaying to reach those high grades. Melodies are vital for me to really enjoy metal, and the amount of chugging, monotone riffs are a bit too many for me to fully enjoy this. Sometimes they are dangerously close to how boring nu metal bands build up songs (not saying that they are to be categorized as such a band, but how the songs sound).

See also review of: Become Death , Godspeed

Production
Vocals
Compositions

9

7

7

 
Summary



6 chalices of 10 - Tommy

Related links:

www.symphorce.net