Album Overview: SCAR SYMMETRY The Singularity (Section II
There are few melodic/progressive demise steel bands that steadiness softness, harshness, and theatricality higher than Sweden’s Scar Symmetry. Their sixth studio LP (and first in a deliberate trilogy), 2014’s The Singularity (Section I – Neohumanity), demonstrated that exceptionally effectively; as such, it concurrently solidified that group’s stylistic mastery and made the nine-year look ahead to a follow-up significantly troublesome. Now that the considerably lengthier The Singularity (Section II − Xenotaph) is right here, nevertheless, it’s clear that the wait was value it, because it’s very a lot a becoming and gratifying—if marginally safer and staler—sequel.
Regardless of coping with a number of adjustments in members over the past decade, the lineup right here is kind of just like that of its predecessor. The truth is, the one distinction is the absence of longtime bassist Kenneth Seil (who left in 2015) and the addition of guitarist Benjamin Ellis. Alongside the way in which, bassist/backing vocalist Andreas Holma got here and went, too, so it’s not clear who—if anybody—performs bass on Xenotaph.
Concerning the in depth delay between Singularity information, guitarist Per Nilsson defined earlier this 12 months:
“It has been a very, actually drawn out course of. I wrote the songs [for Phase II] again in 2016 – the primary [parts] of the songs have been written again then. We recorded drums additionally in 2016, after which we recorded the remainder on and off for the subsequent few years. Then, in 2017, I began enjoying with Meshuggah and I additionally began enjoying with Nocturnal Rites. . . . That form of put the Scar Symmetry factor just a little bit on the aspect. We by no means went on an actual hiatus. We have been in cryo-suspension or one thing for a bit.
“We have had the album launch postponed nearly a 12 months longer than what we thought as a result of we had a tragic factor occur the place the paintings artist that was engaged on the paintings for us, he disappeared. Then he tell us that his mother had handed. It is a actually unhappy scenario. We’ve not actually talked about [that situation] lots, however that postponed issues lots as a result of then we needed to discover a new paintings artist. Sure, we’re at present nonetheless in a holding sample ready for the discharge date to be set.”
Fortunately, their continued exploration of futuristic transhumanism affords nearly every little thing followers of Neohumanity may need.
Admittedly, opener “Chrononautilus” doesn’t pack fairly the epic punch as Neohumanity’s two-part starter (“The Form of Issues to Come”/”Neohuman”), however it comes rattling shut. Particularly, it showcases the album’s arguably angrier tone, with belligerent instrumentation and demonic growls largely dominating cleanly sung energy steel choruses and countermelodies. Throw in some flashy guitar work about midway in and you’ve got the quintessential sing-along erraticism of recent Scar Symmetry.
From there, the remaining compositions on Xenotaph mainly observe an similar template till the top, which is each its largest power and largest weak point. On one hand, the group relentlessly proves how succesful they’re at nailing this sound; however, although, the sequence feels too samey total (and positively much less numerous and impressive than its rapid precursor).
Positive, there’s the dramatic piano and symphonic respites of “Altergeist,” “Soulscanner,” and “Digiphrenia Daybreak,” in addition to the empowering choral accompaniments and tantalizingly enigmatic coda of nearer “Xenotaph.” Nonetheless, it’s onerous to disclaim that the LP as an entire is a minimum of just a little repetitive even when every particular person piece of the puzzle is very satisfying
The Singularity (Section II − Xenotaph) doesn’t match Neohumanity’s freshness, unity, and selection, however it’s removed from a serious letdown. Actually, it’s only a noticeably extra monotonous and fewer striving extension of the identical musical and conceptual formulation. Both approach, it’s nonetheless a rattling high quality album and a testomony to Scar Symmetry’s devoted and attribute chemistry.