Nuclear Blast, 2009
8/10
After releasing the technical, melodic death metal masterpiece Holographic Universe in 2008, vocalist Christian Älvestam, possessor of both a monster growl and a beautiful melodic voice, left Scar Symmetry and had many wondering how the band could recover. The answer was to hire two vocalists, Roberth Karlsson and Lars Palmqvist. Unfortunately, nearly all live activity of Scar Symmetry was halted to focus on a new record, Dark Matter Dimensions. While Scar Symmetry has returned with a great record, they will forever have their albums compared to the greatness of Holographic Universe. The new vocalists sound great, and I imagine songs from previous albums will sound even better live. There’s little to find fault with on Dark Matter Dimensions, however, most songs don’t have the epic, instant-classic feel of Holographic Universe. Keyboards are used a bit more judiciously here so the album has a cleaner, more streamlined sound. The first three songs, “The Iconoclast”, “The Consciousness Eaters”, and “Noumenon And Phenomenon”, are the best on the album, each filled with grand melodies and soaring, technically blazing guitar work. The rest of the album, while excellent, never quite rises to these levels of lofty expectations except for “A Paranthesis In Eternity”. All of the usual elements of a Scar Symmetry album are here – slick, technical guitar solos, death metal growls intertwined with clean, melodic vocals, and memorable songs. Dark Matter Dimensions holds well on its own and will likely be viewed as one of the best albums of the year, but comparisons to Holographic Universe make it difficult to say that this is the band’s best work. While it will not set new standards for progressive, technical death metal, Dark Matter Dimensions sits well alongside the Scar Symmetry catalog and should be a mandatory purchase for all lovers of metal.
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