Download Scar Symmetry – Holographic Universe from megaupload here – http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QL58I8A5

Scar Symmetry - Holographic Universe Album Cover

Holographic Universe is Scar Symmetry’s third full-length album, and in my opinion, their best yet. With Älvestam’s astonishing voice – which ranges from profound, deathly growls to clean, pure singing, mixed together with the ariose guitarwork and drumming, makes Holographic Universe a true joy to listen to.

While Holographic Universe has a bit more “clean” vocals than the albums before it, I can assure you, it is still in the “Death Metal” category. With sometimes crushing riffs, and furious drumming, it still has that death metal feel while still keeping a wonderful melody.

Starting off the album is Morphogenesis, which is arguably one of the catchiest, most melodic tracks that Scar Symmetry have ever produced. From the unbelievably catchy, sing-a-long chorus and keyboards to the deep, brutal growls, it is most definitely one of my favorite tracks off Holographic Universe. Then they are tracks such as Ghost Prototype II (Deus Ex Machina) (long name, I know), which features a softer, more passive side of Scar Symmetry, but in the end still blasting out with a dramatic finish.

As a side note, a little while ago, some depressing news came from Älvestam himself – he has left the band to pursue other projects. While it truly is a shame that Scar Symmetry lost such a talented vocalist, don’t fret- they have already found replacements for the band. Yes, replacements. There will now be two vocalists for Scar Symmetry, one for the clean vocals, and one for the deeper, darker growls/screams. If you want to check them out, here a is a link of them on Youtube audtioning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbkDV6pc0Vs .

Back to Holographic Universe, Scar Symmetry has yet again produced an amazingly catchy, fun-to-listen-to album. If you like a ton of melody in your death metal, then this will most definitely be your cup of tea. If you like a mix of clean, high pitched vocals and brutal, deep, death growls, then you will like this even more.

Overall Score: 8.5/10 – Their best album yet in my opinion, catchy as hell and a joy to listen to.

Recommended Tracks:

1. Morphogenesis
2. Prism And Gate
3. Ghost Prototype II (Deus Ex Machina)

Download Bloodbath – The Fathomless Mastery here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PNR2C6OQ

Bloodbath - The Fathomless Mastery Album Cover

After I began listening to Bloodbath a few months ago, I instantly liked the band for a couple reasons – one being that Mikael Åkerfeldt from Opeth did the vocals on a couple of albums (while the other vocalist was Peter Tägtgren from Hypocrisy). With The Fathomless Mastery, Åkerfeldt returns once again, with one of the deepest, most ferocious growls in the Death Metal genre.

However, not only are Åkerfeldt’s vocals brutal, but every instrument playing is as well. From the furious, cutting guitar riffs to the ridiculously fast drumming, the entire album from start to finish is a savage Death Metal archetype, proving that the genre is far from being dead.

Some tracks are better than others, but the album is generally consistent throughout. Tracks like Mock the Cross and Devouring the Feeble tend to be slower, heavier songs, while others like Treasonous and Earthrot tend to be faster and more aggressive. Then there are some songs that have a haunted kind of feel about them…such as Hades Rising, with a chilling guitar riff throughout the song that gives off a sense of true fucking evil.

Overall, Bloodbath yet again produces a fantastic, brutal Death Metal album that doesn’t dissapoint in the least. While Nightmare’s Made Flesh is considerably a better album, The Fathomless Mastery won’t be gathering dust any time soon. If you want to listen to something hard, and faithful to “old-school” death metal, I’d suggest you pick up this album and commence headbanging.

Overall Score: 8.0/10 – A brutal album, will appeal to true Death Metal enthusiasts.

Recommended Tracks:

1. Devouring The Feeble
2. At The Behest of Their Death
3. Hades Rising

Download Dark Tranquility – Fiction here – http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RJMSYQJ1

Dark Tranquility - Fiction Album Cover

Ah, Dark Tranquility. Known as one of the “Three Kings” of the melodic death metal genre (along with In Flames and At The Gates), they show no sign of relinquishing their reign. Out of the eight Dark Tranquility albums I currently own, I could comfortably say that Fiction is their best release yet.

Dark Tranquility is one of those bands that has kept the same sound, but perfected it in a way that makes it a joy to listen to again and again. The keyboards on Fiction play quite the substantial role throughout the entire album – which is really what makes their music so melodious. But even with melody, Dark Tranquility still knows how to put the “death” in melodic death metal. With Mikael Stanne’s prime example of the ideal growl (especially midrange on this album), the rough but harmonious guitar-work, and the far more frequent, fervent blast beats, this album is not for pansy-boys.

Fiction in some ways dabbles in Dark Tranquility‘s past work, example being “Misery Crown“, which features Stanne “singing” instead of growling, reminiscent to their fourth album, Projector. Then there are songs such as Icipher (my personal favorite), which feature hard, cutting guitar and vocals. And as an added bonus, Fiction also features a track with a female guest vocalist, named The Mundane and the Magic. With Stanne’s guttural growls and the cool, invigorating vocals of the female accompanying him, it really makes this song a treat.

In conclusion, Dark Tranquility has produced yet another amazing album to add to their already solid discography. If you want to check out some modern, yet “true to their roots” melodic death metal, then look no further than Dark Tranquility’s Fiction. You will not be disappointed.

Overall Score : 9.0/10 – Amazing album, one of DT’s best efforts as of yet.

1. Icipher
2. The Mundane and the Magic
3. Terminus (Where Death Is Most Alive)

Download Opeth – Watershed here – http://www.megaupload.com/?d=P1X0KSIA

Note: This is the special edition, which includes Derelict Herds, Bridge of Sighs, and Den Ständiga Resan .

Opeth - Watershed Album Cover

It seems that every album that Opeth makes is nearly flawless, and Watershed is no exception, by far. It seems that this band can still make astounding music, while keeping their material fresh, but still true to their roots. Mikael’s deep, bestial growl is still as brutal as ever – and his singing voice as tranquil and beautiful.

The album starts off with a beautiful, easy-going song – Coil. The shortest track on the album, but also the most pastoral, features something new to Opeth – a female vocalist accompanying them. With a voice almost as haunting as Mikael’s, this track is amazingly relaxing and wonderful to listen to. The rest of the album isn’t as serene as Coil is, but is still amazingly well done. For example, the next track, Heir Apparent, (which happens to be my favorite track so far) starts off with a melancholic, slow moving intro, but then moves into a blisteringly fast guitar riff that essentially explodes in your face. This is what I love about Opeth, and Watershed – the way they can mix tranquility and brutality, even in one song.

Overall, Watershed will make an amazing addition to your Opeth collection if you haven’t bought/downloaded allready. It has the same feel as earlier albums, but still adds new things along the way, keeping the material fresh and exciting to listen to. I’ll be damned if the day will ever come when Opeth makes a bad album. I don’t think it is possible.

Overall Score : 9.0/10 – Another wonderful album, nothing less I would expect from Opeth.

Recommended Tracks:

1. Heir Apparent
2. The Lotus Eater
3. Coil

Download In Flames – A Sense of Purpose here – http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HVOPN9RU .

A Sense of Purpose Album Cover

For my first review, I’d like to start out with the latest release of one of my favorite bands – In Flames. While most metal enthusiasts tend to decry their latest work, I can’t seem to find a bad album that In Flames has produced. While A Sense of Purpose is not exactly their “heaviest” album, it certainly still has that those catchy melodies that keeps listeners coming back to listen again and again.

While Fridén doesn’t have the scream he had on their earlier albums, he still gives out a great sense of power when he sings, that goes along very well with the melodic intensity that In Flames is known for.  If one was to compare Fridén’s vocals to a previous album, it would be obvious that their later work (Reroute To Remain, Come Clarity), would be most similar. For fans of Come Clarity, tracks like The Chosen Pessimist will sound familiar, as it is a slow-paced, more emotional type of track with Fridén singing in a ballad-like style. However, the shorter tracks on the album, particularily The Mirror’s Truth and Move Through Me will appeal to fans of their earlier work, as they are more agressive and fast paced.

Overall, In Flames has produced another great album. If you are a fan of Reroute To Remain or Come Clarity, you will most likely enjoy this. If you hated the aforementioned albums, then you probably won’t like this one. But if you are a true In Flames fan, this will appeal to you no matter what. Just because their style has changed doesn’t mean the band has too.

Overall Score : 7.5/10 – Catchy album, but far from their best.

Recommended Tracks:

1. Drenched in Fear
2. Alias
3. I’m The Highway