Album & EP Reviews

Scar Symmetry – The Singularity (Phase II- Xenotaph)

Scar Symmetry – The Singularity (Phase II- Xenotaph)
Nuclear Blast
Release Date: 09/06/23
Running Time: 58:00
Review by Rory Bentley
6/10

The last Scar Symmetry record came out in 2014 so fans of the Swedish Melodic Death Metallers have had to be incredibly patient to get the sequel to the fondly received “Singularity Phase 1”. Was this second instalment worth the wait? I guess so, if you’re into that sort of thing. Diehard fans will find everything they love about SS on here all present and correct, tied up in a sprawling narrative. What I found here was a pretty solid Metal album that went on a bit too long.

Let’s start with the good things the album has going for it, because there’s definitely merit to a lot of it. ‘Chrononautilus’ is a savage opener and has way more balls and bottom end to it than I expected and the harsh vocals sound positively unhinged. Often Nuclear Blast acts with symphonic elements lose me with lacklustre Death vocals, coming off as either a little bit weedy like Within Temptation’s used to be or a bit phoned in and lacking intensity like a good portion of Mark Jansen’s growls on Epica records. No such issue here, as your man sounds positively feral and has a really satisfying bellow that drives the point home on this opening cut and slots in nicely over the more melodic, but no less intense ‘Altergeist’.

Despite frequently straying into Power and Folk Metal style melodies that would typically dilute the anguished screams, the guitars are satisfyingly meaty and thick in tone throughout, even on more sedate cuts like the bubbly melodicism of ‘Overworld’. This is very much key to balancing out the soundscape of the album as it stops things veering off into the kind of twee territory that only Germans would enjoy. No offense to Germany, just saying y’all lap this fiddledy dee Eurovision shit up like no one’s business – see pretty much any mid-afternoon main stage slot at Wacken for refence.

Thankfully the clean vocals stay in a range that never teeters over into full strained Power Metal howls, which are fine in the right context but would kill the heavy vibes the album’s aiming for. The choruses are robustly sung with conviction and clarity – not remarkable but very competent and considering the big Dream Theater energy this band gives me it is an absolute blessing that there’s not a whiff of James LaBrie to be found anywhere. Small Mercies and all that innit?

So sonically we’ve established that I quite like the SS sound palette, however my biggest gripe is the songwriting, or rather the lack of variety therein. At an hour long this thing starts to feel incredibly samey by around the midway point, with not a whole lot to distinguish each song from the next. Sure, you get the more expansive prog-oriented ‘Soulscanner’ and ‘Xenotaph’ at the back end of the record, but it’s a hell of a slog to get there and they’re not quite proggy or experimental enough to justify the slow crawl to get to them.

For me the main issue aside from the lack of variety that stops these songs really sticking is the lack of memorable riffs. As I stated before, the guitars sound great from a tone and production standpoint, but aside from the slick, expressive soloing it feels like a bunch of chugging power chords strung together to get to the next bit. Real drag and drop bog standard Metal riffing that you’d find in a sound library. They’re certainly not the only band guilty of this but as a man compelled by the power of the riff I found myself less than satisfied.

Overall there is nothing remotely embarrassing or clunky with this record, it’s all competently executed and the narrative is admirably ambitious even if I have no intention of going in on it. Existing fans will probably dig it but for me this was an inoffensive, occasionally impressive but ultimately unremarkable comeback. But hey, it’s just my tuppence worth at the end of the day.

‘Chrononautilus’ Official Video

TRACKLISTING:
01. Chrononautilus
02. Scorched Quadrant
03. Overworld
04. Altergeist
05. Reichsfall
06. Digiphrenia Dawn
07. Hyperborean Plains
08. Gridworm
09. A Voyage With Tailed Meteors
10. Soulscanner
11. Xenotaph

LINE-UP:
Per Nilsson – lead guitar, keyboards, backing and clean vocals (2004–present)
Henrik Ohlsson – drums (2004–present)
Roberth Karlsson – harsh vocals (2008–present)
Lars Palmqvist – clean vocals (2008–present)
Benjamin Ellis – rhythm guitar, backing and clean vocals (2016–present)

LINKS:

Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Rory Bentley and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.