Scar Symmetry – Pitch Black Progress Review


Website: Scar Symmetry

The Inside Pulse:
With widely respected debut, Scar Symmetry had wowed fans of tech and death metal alike. Complex playing partnered with catchy melodies and engaging riffs, all buried in thick layers of brutal vocals, word spread quickly across the underground. With that sort of reception among the die-hards, Pitch Black Progress was to be looked upon with very high expectations.

In the vein of its predecessor, Progress keeps up the fury — actually, surpassing it many times — while simultaneously creating more memorable hooks and frightningly virtuous playing than ever. It’s an odd balance, a combination which doesn’t happen often in nature; somehow, Scar Symmetry tosses it off as if it was nothing.

Positives: Enough cannot be said about “Mind Machine” and “The Kaleidoscopic God.” These two tracks alone are strong enough to carry an entire album. Frantic thrashing, heavy grind, and vocals stretching the entire gamut of death, black, and clean are everywhere and mesh quite well. And the long stretches of soloing coupled with intricate drum lines and natural shifts in rhythm create a flow that makes the album go by all too quickly. Outside of these basics, the moody synth vibe added to many tracks makes for an inviting, personal atmosphere. This would be a metal album that even anti-metal super-musos would enjoy.

Negatives: Even after several listens, so many of the songs remain indistinguishable. They have a fantastic sound filled with so many fantastic elements, but many times fail to create cohesive units. You’re more likely to say “I like this part” than “I like this song.” Great as a whole, but terrible for mix discs or the shuffle setting on your iPod.

Cross-breed: Just like Soilwork, only better; or alternately, throw Dream Theater into the ultimate death metal machine.

Reason To Buy: If you think you have your finger on the pulse of metal, this had better be in your collection. Scar Symmetry is the band to watch.