Symbols of Failure

I heard so many good things about these guys and it took me quite a while to actually listen to them. I typically hear that they are one of the best technical death metal bands around. So hearing this I finally gave their newest album a listen.

This record might actually be mediocre (at best) if the vocalist would learn when (not just when but...actually how) to shut up. After listening to just two songs I just wanted to shoot him in the head, repeatedly (probably wouldn't shut him up though). His vocals really aren't that great either so that doesn't really help, just helps make it even more annoying.

It lacks the most important thing, creativity, there simply is none. Sounds like they just threw everything together. A lot of it really doesn't fit in anywhere, pretty much just a collage of random tech drumming and riffs that seem the least bit interesting. The bass is just plain nonexistent, maybe they sacrificed the bass for more of those vocals.

Consistancy can be found throughout the album, but not in a good way. Especially with the guitars, they remain dull and lack variation. Drumming gets repetitive and mindless at some parts. Little variation can be found there either, which really helps kill it.

After listening to this album a few times I now have a headache. I might even be homicidal and that's probably not a good thing. Highlights of this album are the parts without the vocals. These parts seem like they have even a little intelligence behind them, too bad it isn't anything that hasn't been done before.

If you like mindless tech death with no creativity you'll feel right at home with this one. Well at least the album cover is decent.