Scar Symmetry
The Singularity (Phase I - Neohumanity)
Nuclear Blast
2014
A new era for Scar Symmetry and a new era for humanity have begun. Per Nilsson is now the only one responsible for the band’s music and sound. Going through changes can be hard but it eventually leads you to a new and most of the times better situation.
Scar Symmetry have tried something really ambitious & aspiring with “The Singularity (Phase I – Neohumanity)”. This specific sci-fi theme with robots, a new human race and so forth has been torturing humanity for decades and many books, articles and movies have been released concerning it. So Scar Symmetry have created a very impressive lyrical concept which they have decided to divide in three parts. So after “Phase I” there will be “Phase II” and Phase III”. You can read more about the lyrical concept in a stimulating interview I recently had with Per, here. I just hope a really director will get the chance to read and deal further with this sci-fi concept so as to make it a movie at some point… it would be truly remarkable!
On the music part, Scar Symmetry present everything you fancy about this band on the first part of the trilogy. Heavy-power, prog metal, melodeath, brutal, melodic metal, pop-metal and death metal are all blended miraculously enhancing the sci-fi lyrical concept in an ideal way. Moreover, the production is amazing. Per did the mixing, the production and the mastering all by himself! I’m sure he feels justified by his choices…
“The Shape of Things to Come” is a small intro where Per does the vocals and gives us a hint of what’s to come...
“Neohuman” perhaps is the most progressive track on the album. Brutality and melody co-exist in equal (more or less) doses and the two vocalists Lars Palmqvist and Roberth Karlsson complement each other gratifyingly. Neohumans are awake, ready to take on the world so...
“Limits to Infinity” is the most melodic track here. The refrain is very catchy while the whole track has a very elusive pop-metal atmosphere. Apart from the brutal vocals (which keep things in balance) this is one of the mellowest moments of Scar Symmetry... yet, in the last 2 minutes you get too much of brutality along with a wonderful guitar solo...
Can you imagine being frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen until the time is right to be “resurrected” by the new technology-masters of the future in order to see and live in the new world of the distant future? This is what “Cryonic Harvest” is all about. It also has a very melodious refrain, brutal verses and a great atmospheric & refined melodic part in the middle.
“The Spiral Timeshift” starts powerfully with a very “futuristic sound” on the synth. It’s groovy, up-tempo, intense, heavy but also tuneful at the same time.
“Children of the Integrated Circuit” is the band’s first instrumental track ever... it’s like a moody futuristic intermission…
“Neuromancers” is one of the album’s picks… mid-tempo, heavy, and atmospheric with a magnificent & memorable refrain. It’s funny that Per referred to it as the album’s weakest track!
“Technocalyptic Cybergeddon” is a 10-minute progressive & aggressive track, with fine melodies and an essential atmospheric 4-minute part in the end. Once again, the two singers’ chemistry is superb! A wonderful way to close the first part of the trilogy and leave you wondering of what’s next…
I think the melodic side of this album could have been a tad more but that’s me who prefers the refined melodies to brutality. Nonetheless, Scar Symmetry have already won the bet for such a challenging and aspirant lyrical and musical concept. “The Singularity (Phase I – Neohumanity)” is not only among the band’s top releases ever, but also one of the best albums for 2014…
Scar Symmetry have tried something really ambitious & aspiring with “The Singularity (Phase I – Neohumanity)”. This specific sci-fi theme with robots, a new human race and so forth has been torturing humanity for decades and many books, articles and movies have been released concerning it. So Scar Symmetry have created a very impressive lyrical concept which they have decided to divide in three parts. So after “Phase I” there will be “Phase II” and Phase III”. You can read more about the lyrical concept in a stimulating interview I recently had with Per, here. I just hope a really director will get the chance to read and deal further with this sci-fi concept so as to make it a movie at some point… it would be truly remarkable!
On the music part, Scar Symmetry present everything you fancy about this band on the first part of the trilogy. Heavy-power, prog metal, melodeath, brutal, melodic metal, pop-metal and death metal are all blended miraculously enhancing the sci-fi lyrical concept in an ideal way. Moreover, the production is amazing. Per did the mixing, the production and the mastering all by himself! I’m sure he feels justified by his choices…
“The Shape of Things to Come” is a small intro where Per does the vocals and gives us a hint of what’s to come...
“Neohuman” perhaps is the most progressive track on the album. Brutality and melody co-exist in equal (more or less) doses and the two vocalists Lars Palmqvist and Roberth Karlsson complement each other gratifyingly. Neohumans are awake, ready to take on the world so...
“Limits to Infinity” is the most melodic track here. The refrain is very catchy while the whole track has a very elusive pop-metal atmosphere. Apart from the brutal vocals (which keep things in balance) this is one of the mellowest moments of Scar Symmetry... yet, in the last 2 minutes you get too much of brutality along with a wonderful guitar solo...
Can you imagine being frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen until the time is right to be “resurrected” by the new technology-masters of the future in order to see and live in the new world of the distant future? This is what “Cryonic Harvest” is all about. It also has a very melodious refrain, brutal verses and a great atmospheric & refined melodic part in the middle.
“The Spiral Timeshift” starts powerfully with a very “futuristic sound” on the synth. It’s groovy, up-tempo, intense, heavy but also tuneful at the same time.
“Children of the Integrated Circuit” is the band’s first instrumental track ever... it’s like a moody futuristic intermission…
“Neuromancers” is one of the album’s picks… mid-tempo, heavy, and atmospheric with a magnificent & memorable refrain. It’s funny that Per referred to it as the album’s weakest track!
“Technocalyptic Cybergeddon” is a 10-minute progressive & aggressive track, with fine melodies and an essential atmospheric 4-minute part in the end. Once again, the two singers’ chemistry is superb! A wonderful way to close the first part of the trilogy and leave you wondering of what’s next…
I think the melodic side of this album could have been a tad more but that’s me who prefers the refined melodies to brutality. Nonetheless, Scar Symmetry have already won the bet for such a challenging and aspirant lyrical and musical concept. “The Singularity (Phase I – Neohumanity)” is not only among the band’s top releases ever, but also one of the best albums for 2014…