Synasthasia (try saying that after a few drinkies) are from Germany, so they obviously have metal in their bones. They released their first demo back in 1999, followed by their first full length album ‘The Land of Lores’ in 2003. Another full length and self titled album was released in 2007. In 2010 they released the album ‘Instructed by the Devil’. Admittedly I’ve never heard of these guys so having got myself a copy of their newest album ‘Style Collector’ I thought I’d give them a go!
The first track ‘Awaking’ has an intro with an Alice Cooper feel to it. Yet changes swiftly into fast yet not so aggressive drumming, then comes the vocals in a screamo style but also some clean group parts. The guitar riffs are superb, and the guitar solo is nothing short of talent! However, I feel it’s lacking in the energy department. ‘Beyond the Flames’ has a little bit more (but not enough) of a kick to it and the scream styled vocals are more Machinehead styled rather than every other funny haired emo. With a catchy chorus and a bouncy riff polished off with a cracking little guitar solo fresh from power metal land.. not bad!
On the other hand, ‘Cave of the Diseased’ made me cringe, the vocals sounding like the singers balls haven’t dropped yet and the drumming ….. is there really a drummer in the band or is it all done on a cheap computer program? The next track ‘Dead from Inside’ seemingly has the same riffs and drum program. As for the vocals? If he kept down the horrid pubescent screeching it wouldn’t be all that bad.
‘The Hidden’ started off ok with the vocals sounding over 15 years old, yet further into the track there’s the ear piercing screech again. Yet somehow I can see all the kids that hang out outside Blue Banana listening to this.
’Falling’ offers a brilliant chorus yet fails to serve to satisfactory due to the vocals again, come on lad bring it down a few keys! As for ‘Out of this World’ …. urgh! I actually felt the need to drop the volume down due to my ear drum giving in. ‘Heaven Shall Burn’ and Take Away my Soul’ to me seems to be the same track, the same screams and the same drumming pattern… not impressed.
‘The Saints’ again with the screamo vocals yet the guitar riff on this one is a belter! And the evil demonic talking part was pretty cool I guess. So now the last track ‘The Ride’ (is this the same band??) it seems the vocalists balls have finally dropped! Sounding completely different and very listenable. Even the drums sound better and the edgy/moany guitar on this one is killer!
Well….. on a personal note, I wouldn’t even buy this if it was 20p in a bargain bin. Largely disappointed due to their flyer stating “Elements of melodic death metal, power metal and classic 80’s trash” ….. they obviously forgot to mention screamo!
No hard feelings guys!
(3/10 Charlene Rance)
27/02/2012 at 2:01 pm
However, the CD cover is superb!