Title: SINOCENCE - Scar Obscura
Description: SINOCENCE - Scar Obscura
Description: SINOCENCE - Scar Obscura
metal4life - July 4, 2009 07:30 AM (GMT)
SINOCENCE
Scar Obscura
Rising 2009
When I reached track 3, namely God Complex, I fully realised that Sinocence were a totally kick ass new band. To say I was surprised though was an understatement of Herculean proportions. OK, maybe not that big but you catch my drift as I wasn't expecting this at all. This band has the sound, playing, production and song-writing ability of a band who are on their 3rd, 4th album or even a veteran of the game. In fact they put many older bands to shame with their song-writing ability alone.
They sound like a fantastic concoction of Metallica based melodic riffing with far bigger vocal melodies and a slightly melancholic air which could see them hold their own against bands such as Amorphis without the doomy elements. They've also possibly listened to a few Gothenburger melodic death metal bands over the years and hence the ear for a superbly catchy thrashy guitar lick or melody. Thankfully and I think this was my main worry before pressing play, they don't resort to screams and growls which would have been a big draw back in my book.
In fact huge credit must go to singer/guitarist Moro who performs both tasks immensely well. His voice is based around Hetfield's angsty melodic roar with plenty of Hetfieldisms on show with an added melodic edge that manifests itself on the ballad Art of Separation. A very beautiful and sparse track at the beginning before hitting a full on melodic thrash assault. The melodies in the vocals and guitars are truly memorable and outstanding. The "Stand" and "Fight" shouts are very catchy indeed backed with very cool melodic riffing.
Eviscerate starts of with that delicious thrashy melodic guitar that gives them that Swedish flavour before once again settling down into a dark moody mid tempo tune which leaves it's mark with another catchy refrain backed with infectious groovy jackhammer riffs.
Rule As One is a full on melodic thrasher with untold slamming melodic riffs that will snap necks guaranteed. All New Revenge follows with the heavy artillery once again in full flow before settling down to a more melodic and emotional tune before once again bringing back the riff-fest mid song with a percussive vocal attack quite close to Max from Soulfly but done in an immensely catchy way. I like the fact that the band doesn't even throw in anything even remotely resembling a filler track and one of the best is the final track Terminus which is a totally immense track with huge lashings of heavy guitar melody and graceful yet heavy passages of both vocals and music. A majestic end to this wonderful album.
Every once in a while the average jaded metal reviewer gets to hear an album like Scar Obscura that blows the cobwebs clean out of his ears. Well it's happened for me with this record. This could end up being very high in my end of year's top 20 or whatever just on surprise factor alone. I wouldn't say they are the finished article but if this is what they can achieve on their debut then the metal world's their oyster. They have delivered a memorable set of songs which they can surely be very proud of and if there's any justice they should make a name for themselves soon enough within the metal community.
© Pirage Forsi
Rating ****1/2 (4.5/5.0)
Buy @ Amazon
Scar Obscura
Rising 2009
When I reached track 3, namely God Complex, I fully realised that Sinocence were a totally kick ass new band. To say I was surprised though was an understatement of Herculean proportions. OK, maybe not that big but you catch my drift as I wasn't expecting this at all. This band has the sound, playing, production and song-writing ability of a band who are on their 3rd, 4th album or even a veteran of the game. In fact they put many older bands to shame with their song-writing ability alone.
They sound like a fantastic concoction of Metallica based melodic riffing with far bigger vocal melodies and a slightly melancholic air which could see them hold their own against bands such as Amorphis without the doomy elements. They've also possibly listened to a few Gothenburger melodic death metal bands over the years and hence the ear for a superbly catchy thrashy guitar lick or melody. Thankfully and I think this was my main worry before pressing play, they don't resort to screams and growls which would have been a big draw back in my book.
In fact huge credit must go to singer/guitarist Moro who performs both tasks immensely well. His voice is based around Hetfield's angsty melodic roar with plenty of Hetfieldisms on show with an added melodic edge that manifests itself on the ballad Art of Separation. A very beautiful and sparse track at the beginning before hitting a full on melodic thrash assault. The melodies in the vocals and guitars are truly memorable and outstanding. The "Stand" and "Fight" shouts are very catchy indeed backed with very cool melodic riffing.
Eviscerate starts of with that delicious thrashy melodic guitar that gives them that Swedish flavour before once again settling down into a dark moody mid tempo tune which leaves it's mark with another catchy refrain backed with infectious groovy jackhammer riffs.
Rule As One is a full on melodic thrasher with untold slamming melodic riffs that will snap necks guaranteed. All New Revenge follows with the heavy artillery once again in full flow before settling down to a more melodic and emotional tune before once again bringing back the riff-fest mid song with a percussive vocal attack quite close to Max from Soulfly but done in an immensely catchy way. I like the fact that the band doesn't even throw in anything even remotely resembling a filler track and one of the best is the final track Terminus which is a totally immense track with huge lashings of heavy guitar melody and graceful yet heavy passages of both vocals and music. A majestic end to this wonderful album.
Every once in a while the average jaded metal reviewer gets to hear an album like Scar Obscura that blows the cobwebs clean out of his ears. Well it's happened for me with this record. This could end up being very high in my end of year's top 20 or whatever just on surprise factor alone. I wouldn't say they are the finished article but if this is what they can achieve on their debut then the metal world's their oyster. They have delivered a memorable set of songs which they can surely be very proud of and if there's any justice they should make a name for themselves soon enough within the metal community.
© Pirage Forsi
Rating ****1/2 (4.5/5.0)
Buy @ Amazon