Scar Symmetry – “Holographic Universe”

In the past few years the death metal scene has become way too crowded with run of the mill, cookie cutter bands and while I think the genre is great, I also think it suffers from the influx of mediocre acts that have flooded it. Nowadays, it seems that everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.

Swedish Melodic Death Metal band, Scar Symmetry, is hoping to stand out amongst these masses with the release of their new disc, Holographic Universe. When I first received this disc, I was fully expecting another one of those bands I just mentioned. To my surprise, I was pleasantly mistaken. While the disc at times does fit into the death metal category, it is not confined to it. Mixing grinding double bass, technically detailed and melodic guitar work, death metal growls and a good amount of clean vocals, the collection of new tracks that make up Holographic Universe are a fresh and welcome addition to the heavy metal world.

Though it may be the only key thing that sets them apart from the rest of the modern death metal pack, the bands’ decision to add cleaner guitars and vocals to the mix results in songs that are both impressive and memorable.

Some of my favorite tracks on this disc are “The Missing Coordinates,” “Prism” and “Gate and Trapezoid,” all of which are very good examples as to how Scar Symmetry is attempting differentiate themselves from the rest.

I would recommend this disc with no reservations to fans not only of the death metal genre but also to fans of metal in general; Holographic Universe bridges the gap between these to styles of music seamlessly.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. Morphogenisis
02. Timewave Zero
03. Quantumleaper
04. Artificial Sun Projection
05. The Missing Coordinates
06. Ghost Prototype I – Measurement Of Thought
07. Fear Catalyst
08. Trapezoid
09. Prism And Gate
10. Holographic Universe
11. The Three Dimensional Universe
12. Ghost Prototype II – Dues Ex Machina

Run Time: 58:44
Release Date: 06.24.2008