Written by Guest on 14.11.2011 at 20:29
I don't want to be that guy, but... It's their second without Älvestam.

Written by Coconut Racecar on 14.11.2011 at 21:07
...as long as Christian isn't in the band, Scar Symmetry is dead as far as i'm concerned.. he is god.

Written by Daniell on 14.11.2011 at 23:28
Honestly, I never understood the hype surrounding Scar Symmetry. It's always been a midrange band.

Written by Crazy Booduh on 15.11.2011 at 00:46
But, opinions and all that

Written by malaikat on 15.11.2011 at 00:45
Troy's on fire these days HELLFIRE NO LESS

Written by Coconut Racecar on 14.11.2011 at 21:07

I didn't even need to read this to know that as long as Christian isn't in the band, Scar Symmetry is dead as far as i'm concerned

Written by Crazy Booduh on 15.11.2011 at 00:46

I'm surprised to see people call them a "mid-range" band. Holographic Universe is one of my all-time favorite CDs that still gets regular play today, as well as Symmetric in Design. I'll agree that they aren't at that level today but I still feel those are absolutely phenomenal CDs.

Written by strade on 15.11.2011 at 01:37

The cover art is terrible. That's all I really need or want to know about this release.

Written by Coconut Racecar on 15.11.2011 at 01:56
well, no one asked you so.. shoe, fly.

Written by Crazy Booduh on 15.11.2011 at 00:46

I would agree with a lot of this review if it was for Dark Matter Dimensions as I thought that was a pretty boring album. I thought The Unseen Empire was a huge step up from that, but still not quite reaching the level of their old material.

I'm surprised to see people call them a "mid-range" band. Holographic Universe is one of my all-time favorite CDs that still gets regular play today, as well as Symmetric in Design. I'll agree that they aren't at that level today but I still feel those are absolutely phenomenal CDs.

Written by Crazy Booduh on 15.11.2011 at 02:19
Troy, as much as we may disagree on some things, you seem capable to have an actual discussion amongst the baseless and blind hate I see all over metal sites. For that, you have my
I still think your review is pretty harsh though
That said, I do agree that Christian can be a little overrated at times. I do think he's a great vocalist but to be honest he hasn't put out anything I've really enjoyed since Holographic Universe. Solution .45 was an alright release but just seemed like a more straightforward (i.e. less sci-fi) version of Scar Symmetry that wasn't as good. No idea what the general consensus is on Miseration or The Few Against Many though. I prefer my melo-death with an emphasis on the melody and, to me, it's his melody vocals that separates Christian from other vocalists.

Written by Guest on 15.11.2011 at 02:18
It took a dozen or more listens to really start liking Unseen Empire...

Written by Daniell on 14.11.2011 at 23:28

Honestly, I never understood the hype surrounding Scar Symmetry. It's always been a midrange band. Having read this nice review, I doubt I will check this album.

Written by Troy Killjoy on 15.11.2011 at 02:25

Written by Crazy Booduh on 15.11.2011 at 02:19
Troy, as much as we may disagree on some things, you seem capable to have an actual discussion amongst the baseless and blind hate I see all over metal sites. For that, you have my
I still think your review is pretty harsh though
That said, I do agree that Christian can be a little overrated at times. I do think he's a great vocalist but to be honest he hasn't put out anything I've really enjoyed since Holographic Universe. Solution .45 was an alright release but just seemed like a more straightforward (i.e. less sci-fi) version of Scar Symmetry that wasn't as good. No idea what the general consensus is on Miseration or The Few Against Many though. I prefer my melo-death with an emphasis on the melody and, to me, it's his melody vocals that separates Christian from other vocalists.

Thanks! Nothing like a good discussion... Pretty much the opposite of Youtube comments.

And my review is probably a little over the top, but that's how I roll.

As for Alvestam, I do agree his voice adds to the melody of the music he's singing over. He's almost an instrument in himself. Like Kurt Cobain would say, vocals are just another instrument. That being said, it just seems like a lot of the stuff he lends his voice to sounds so completely generic. I'm not sure if it's his choosing or if it's just the way it works out. I haven't liked a single release with his name attached to it since the first two SS albums, and even then they aren't exactly as great as many people make them out to be. And, as Marcel pointed out, there are others who do the clean/growling thing a lot better than him. But that might be because the music accompanies their talent a lot better.

Written by Garth Vader on 15.11.2011 at 04:55

Written by Troy Killjoy on 15.11.2011 at 02:25

Written by Crazy Booduh on 15.11.2011 at 02:19
Troy, as much as we may disagree on some things, you seem capable to have an actual discussion amongst the baseless and blind hate I see all over metal sites. For that, you have my
I still think your review is pretty harsh though
That said, I do agree that Christian can be a little overrated at times. I do think he's a great vocalist but to be honest he hasn't put out anything I've really enjoyed since Holographic Universe. Solution .45 was an alright release but just seemed like a more straightforward (i.e. less sci-fi) version of Scar Symmetry that wasn't as good. No idea what the general consensus is on Miseration or The Few Against Many though. I prefer my melo-death with an emphasis on the melody and, to me, it's his melody vocals that separates Christian from other vocalists.

Thanks! Nothing like a good discussion... Pretty much the opposite of Youtube comments.

And my review is probably a little over the top, but that's how I roll.

As for Alvestam, I do agree his voice adds to the melody of the music he's singing over. He's almost an instrument in himself. Like Kurt Cobain would say, vocals are just another instrument. That being said, it just seems like a lot of the stuff he lends his voice to sounds so completely generic. I'm not sure if it's his choosing or if it's just the way it works out. I haven't liked a single release with his name attached to it since the first two SS albums, and even then they aren't exactly as great as many people make them out to be. And, as Marcel pointed out, there are others who do the clean/growling thing a lot better than him. But that might be because the music accompanies their talent a lot better.

Troy, you are all over the map lately, and this review is obviously the result of you dropping soap during a prison riot. A 4.5 rating? I mean I understand giving Lulu a low rating because of your fanboy disappointment, but come on! Production is obviously better than a 5, so are we to understand that you are now just a troll here on Metalstorm?? I expect a logical assessment from someone who is supposed to be "staff". Just because SS doesn't fit your favorite depressive, grindcore genre, doesn't mean they are a bunch of talentless hacks as you are so rating them. With or without Alvestam the band is above average at the very least, and I would say there are moments on nearly every album that are melodic stokes of genius. Holographic Universe was one of the best releases of 2008 and with an average rating of 8.6 it is plain to see that most everyone else concurs. It's fine to express your opinions and troll about in the responses, but we expect a little more realistic and thought out assessment from a staffer rating an album, otherwise this great website is little more than someone's blog, full of inane opinions and blather.

Written by MétalNoir on 15.11.2011 at 06:01
Their cheesiness is not in my opinion a suitable argument for not liking this album, that is, if you ever cared about the band.