SCAR SYMMETRY
Pitch Black Progress
Nuclear Blast Records 2006
www.scarsymmetry.com

What’s the 4-1-1?
Not even a year ago, Swedish metal band Scar Symmetry put out their first CD Symmetric Design. Now 8 months later they return with their latest album.

Genre
Melodic death metal

The Good
"The Illusionist" starts off the album and is one amazing speed song. The great vocals of Christian Alvestam are similar of Mikael Åkerfeldt’s of the band Opeth, but they also provide beautiful melodies on the choruses of all the songs. "Slaves to the Subliminal" is a guitar driven track with one awesome guitar solo in it. There are more growling then melodic vocals throughout the song. The title track "Pitch Black Progress" is another song with a thrash-metal feel to it. The pounding drums, amazing guitar riffs, and sweet solo shows this is probably one of the top songs on the album. "Calculate the Apocalypse" is once again driven by guitars; much like the entire album. It provides a catchy solo section that will get stuck in your head. Great chorus too. "Oscillation Point" has some kick ass keyboard samples that flow well throughout the song, as well as killer bass lines. What else is there to say?

The Bad
Nothing notable

The Verdict
This CD kicks ass! Fans from the start will enjoy it, and newer found fans will enjoy it too. This is an album that you must HAVE this year. It could go head-to-head with the best of bands out there today.

Did You Know?
Scar Symmetry has shared the stage with bands such as Hypocrisy, Soilwork, and One Man Army & the Undead Quartet.

Rating: out of 5

--Derrick Carey