Sonic Syndicate are returning with a powerful, uncompromising attack on the establishment of modern metal, returning with their latest opus 'Love and Other Disasters', and they are not about to let down their legions of fans.
For a band that has made no secret of the inspiration they have drawn from countrymen In Flames, it is perhaps interesting to see how much difference the dual vocal duties that the band employ set them so far apart from their much lauded friends. Of course, when it comes to In Flames, the discussion will naturally draw to whether you are an old school "growly" or a new school "melodic" fan. How about being able to be both at the same time? Welcome to Sonic Syndicate.
Big riffs, big growls, and soaring melody... and that's in the same song, often at the same time!
Take the bands opening single as the first example of how truly excellent this album actually is. 'Jack Of Diamonds' is hard, fast and slaps you in the face like a ten ton truck doing sixty miles an hour right down your throat. That's pretty good, but it's when the soaring melodic vocals cut in, sweeping in and out of the melodic growling that you finally realise that Sonic Syndicate have found a balance in their music that untold thousands have been trying to do for years.
'Fallout' is just another example of how mature a band, how confident they are in their own abilities. It's a balance, and Sonic Syndicate have not just walked the razors edge, they've hop skipped and jumped along it, and thrown in backflips just to show off.
It's hard to imagine that less than two years ago, Sonic Syndicate emerged victorious out of Nuclear Blast's win a deal competition, and yet today they stand ready to defy all their detractors with possibly one of the finest albums of the year.
In Flames may be the masters, but Sonic Syndicate are most certainly the usurpers, and they've come for their mentors crown... and they might just take it.
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