Gothenburg, Sweden is home of Scar Symmetry, the melodic death metal dream band. SCAR SYMMENTRY will melt the paint from the walls as they crush and destroy the meaning of melodic death metal. The band mixes growling vocals with melodic progressive vocals. I love the double vocal style that brings two different genres of music together. I am not one for heavy death metal that is more for our writers Pedro and Rob. But I do listen to just about every CD that comes into Rock Eyez. SS reminds me of early SOILWORK with a slight flare of Sentenced.

The musicianship on “Symmetric in Design” is phenomenal and all aspects are mind-boggling. The drumming by Henrik Ohlsson is masterful and the guitar work by Jonas Kjellgren and Per Nilsson reminds me a lot of Jeff Loomis of NEVERMORE. “Veil Of Illusions” might be one of the best songs on “Symmetric” showing the softer side of SS but still having a raw sound. The vocals by Christian Älvestam are tremendous with the growls being legible which makes every song unique.

The power heard throughout the CD put this release right up there with the best of them. Even if you’re not into the growling vocals, you will be drawn to this release by the melodic side of the band. “Orchestrate The Infinite” has the tantalizing sound of Pantera with riveting melodies holding a note in suspension in your mind. And you think Eddie Van Halen rips… Check out the guitar work on “Detach From The Outcome” I don’t have to go into details, just check out the song. SS sure sounds like they are using keyboards or are they fooling me. There is no credit to a keyboard player but if they are using one, it is well hidden and it just makes the sound that much better. This is a killer debut for Scar Symmetry and I can’t wait for the follow up. The highlight song has to be “The Eleventh Sphere”; it just makes you an instant fan of Scar Symmetry with that power metal like chords and memorizing vocals.