I have no qualms about revealing my utter admiration for the band known as Scar Symmetry. Their last two albums have been totally brilliant, so when I found out that vocalist Christian Ãlvestam was departing the band, I was quite dismayed as I never really thought Scar Symmetry would find a vocalist with the same talents to replace him. Having a dude that can cover both harsh and clean vocals well is so rare, that I was sure that the spirit this band had would fall apart. What’s funny about this situation though is that when I first heard Scar Symmetry, I was sure that it was Dan Swano at the helm since he has very similar qualities as Christian (especially being able to sing both harshly and cleanly), so when I found out that Christian had left, Dan, whom is not only Swedish, but also partakes in just about as many projects as Gene Hoglan does, seemed like an obvious choice for a replacement. It turns out Scar Symmetry had other plans though. Instead of choosing an ample single replacement, they chose to go double or nothing. Replacing Christian would be the talented Roberth Karlsson (who also helms Devian, a fantastic, under-appreciated death metal troupe) on harsh vocals, and Lars Palmqvist on clean vocals. I never thought of splitting the duties of Christian, and now that I look back, it made sense to change the line up in such a way. The result of this interesting turn of events is recently released Dark Matter Dimensions, and to my relief, a fantastic result.

What I first noticed from the very beginning of “The Iconoclast” and onwards, was the clear, uncompromising value of the writing. All the beautiful melodies and hooks that made Scar Symmetry amazing to begin with, were still alive and well. The biggest variable, of course, were the two new vocalists who have proven themselves to be worthy replacements. Track after track, I found myself becoming more relieved that my expectations of an inferior product were being proven false, and really, there are few things more satisfying as being proven wrong as a professional critic.

Dark Matter Dimensions is not without its faults though, and sadly, these faults lie with Lars Palmqvist, who takes on the tough duty of living up to Christian’s talented melodic pipes. While Lars is far from being inferior (he excells in fact), he doesn’t live up to the previous representation of the melodic interludes that have been the Scar Symmetry calling card since their inception. Lars is a bit pitchy from time to time, and doesn’t possess the same soul that Christian did. This is a bit of a set back for the band, and I hope that Lars can adjust to his new surroundings. Nevertheless, Lars is still definitely a worthy replacement, and doesn’t fail to disappoint.

If you couldn’t tell, I am simply happy to have another Scar Symmetry album to wrap my ears around, because even though Holographic Universe was only released last year, it seems like forever waiting in anticipation for this one. Next step, full U.S. tour!

AMAZING

Similar Artists:

1.    The Iconoclast
2.    The Consciousness Eaters
3.    Noumenon And Phenomenon
4.    Ascension Chamber
5.    Mechanical Soul Cybernetics
6.    Nonhuman Era
7.    Dark Matter Dimensions
8.    Sculptor Void
9.    A Paranthesis In Eternity
10.    Frequencyshifter
11.    Radiant Strain

Roberth Karlsson – Harsh Vocals
Lars Palmqvist – Clean Vocals
Jonas Kjellgren – Guitars
Per Nilsson – Guitars
Kenneth Seil – Bass
Henrik Ohlsson – Drums

Nuclear Blast Records

http://www.myspace.com/scarsymmetry

http://www.scarsymmetry.com/

Review by CODY