Scar Symmetry – The Singularity Phase II – Xenotaph (Review)

This is the seventh album from Scar Symmetry, a melodic death metal band from Sweden.

The Singularity Phase II – Xenotaph is a big album that’s bold and ambitious. but has the skill and ability to back up its vision. Mixing together melodic death metal with heavy and power metal, this is a feast of metallic fun for any fan of this sort of music.

Scar Symmetry have a beauty and the beast approach to vocals, with deep gruff growls offset by the sort of clean singing that many a heavy/power metal band would envy. Both singers are clearly talented and put in top performances. Additionally, the band actually take advantage of having two vocalists and use them at times simultaneously and to complement each other.

The songs as a whole adopt a similar approach, combining brutality and melodically rich heaviness with uplifting heavy/power metal sections that are stirring and energetic. Scar Symmetry certainly know how to write a good tune, and The Singularity Phase II – Xenotaph is packed with them.

The well-written songs are constructed around the sort of massive hooks that make for very happy stadiums and many singalong moments. This is metal that’s very catchy and very moreish; if you like melodic metal with a heavier edge and harsh vocals, then this is for you. It’s packed with good riffs that keep on giving, and enriched with keyboards that are not overused. Oh, and I should also mention the many killer solos, as these are particularly tasty.

Scar Symmetry have produced the sort of shining professional metal album that’s very hard to ignore. Every song is a well-crafted machine designed to do its job to exacting precision, and The Singularity Phase II – Xenotaph is a very easy album to like and to keep replaying once its 58 minutes are done. Yep, I’ll be listening to this a lot this year. This is seriously good.

Very highly recommended.