The monotonous pounding of Scar Symmetry
Since the glorious days of Europe, Swedish metal has evolved into different directions. Scar Symmetry has decided to follow the path set by In Flames, and attempts to evolve the heavy metal scene of our western neighbour even further.
Unfortunately the pop-ish extreme metal of these five Swedes just didn’t make a point with songs based on speed, melodies and monotony of similar guitar solos. The sluggishness of the band was extrapolated by the stiff moshing of vocalist Christian Älvestam, which ultimately failed to encourage the audience to thrash around, although his abilities in both clean vocals and grunting are worth a special mention.
In the end Scar Symmetry remains as a band you can tell you’ve seen live in Ilosaarirock. Hopefully in the future you’ll be able to tell you’ve seen a good performance from them.
Text: Mikko Kuronen
Pictures: Sini-Tuuli Mottonen