Scar Symmetry – Dark Matter Dimensions Review

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The first time I was introduced to Scar Symmetry it was something that I had never heard before. There was such a dynamic change in their music. And with Christian Älvestam's vocal ability, they were a band like no one else.  But things have changed.
With Scar Symmetry losing Christian Älvestam due to some personal conflicts, the band was in search for a new vocalist. What they found were two guys to fill one guy’s shoes. Roberth Karlsson (deep growls) and Lars Palmqvist (clean vocals) were introduced to Scar Symmetry in October of 08. 
 
After a year of the separation and rebuilding they release their new 2009 album “Dark Matter Dimensions.”   When you first take this album in you are expecting “Scar Symmetry,” but what you get is something different. I know different singers means different song, maybe style. But keeping the name Scar Symmetry brings some expectations. 
 
Scar Symmetry Review - Dark Matter DimensionsScar Symmetry’s style is still a dark melodic style that is heavy, fast and still has deep dynamics. But the songs just don’t bring the energy that Scar Symmetry is known for. There is something missing, maybe it is Christian Älvestam, maybe not.   There isn’t that effect in this album as their past albums. Roberth growls and deep singing were very good, but Lars clean vocals were too soft and hollow.
 
Overall the album is good, but it’s not what I was expecting. Songs like “Mechanical Soul Cybernetics” just make you wonder “What were they thinking? Then you get songs like “The Consciousness Eaters” and you believe there is hope to bring back the same energy and style. 
 
For all you metalheads in the community that have checked out the album, go ahead and comment below and share your thoughts on the new album.
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Writer and Developer for Metal CallOut.  Favorite sub genre of heavy metal includes Death, Melodic Death and Traditional. Sparks can be found at @SparksFury or at Google+.

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 05/05/2010 - 1:18pm.
I hope that Solution .45 will be the new Scar Symmetry. Their album is not as good as PBP or HU, but thousand times better than DMD. And that's only the first album! I hope they've got a long way to go.
InCripta's picture
Submitted by InCripta on Tue, 04/27/2010 - 6:05pm.
It will be interesting to see where they go in the future, but I really didn't like this album. I hate change. It's like Origin now has a new vocalist, I still love the musicianship but they don't feel the same with out James Lee. Maybe the new SS will eventually grow on me though...
- insert something witty here
Amarak's picture
Submitted by Amarak on Tue, 04/13/2010 - 9:51am.
I like scar symmetry, loved them when christian was with them and still love them for still being "scar symmetry". That being said obviously are you can't re-create losing alvestam whatsoever. I feel the growls are almost there, but the cleans however are just not there. They are simple, like sparksfury said hollow, and i feel have no emotion. I do like the heavier feel in Dark Matter Dimensions, something I think christian had trouble with in earlier albums. I like where Scar Symmetry is going and am very excited for future albums.
Falling ideals Broken seals March to the shore You are a killer!
iListen's picture
Submitted by iListen on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:58pm.
Sadly I think this particular "review" does nothing more than the injustice of letting a lineup change overshadow some of the amazing things Scar Symmetry offers. Don't get me wrong, Christian Älvestam is one of my all time favorite metal vocalists and he was an integral part of what initially attracted me to the band. Metal isn't metal without in your face drumming and scorching guitars; all cleans, all growls - it doesn't matter if there isn't a solid band for them to sit on top of.

The approach to the drumming on this album is exponentially more technical and refined than Holographic Universe. Henrik Ohlsson clearly is dedicated to his craft and did some great things for this album.

Guitars? Per Nilsson's intonation and style are one of the few distinguishable signature sounds for the genre. His lead phrasing, tone, and style of syncopated riffs IS Scar Symmetry as far as I'm concerned.

That being said, combining Älvestam's talent with the band's did create a specific sound and I don't think you could find any 1 or 2 individuals to create that same chemistry. I certainly prefer Holographic Universe to Dark Matter Dimensions, but the efforts of the band certainly were a step up from what they brought to the table with their previous album.

Scar Symmetry is a stellar band with well executed heavy music, and they deserve credit for that - not criticism for how new members of the band approach their music. The creative process is collaborative and open to artistic interpretation, so failure to fit one's personal taste doesn't mean it sucks.
tread's picture
Submitted by tread on Tue, 12/01/2009 - 6:53am.
I really like Dark matter Dimensions and the new singers are awesome.. I think you need to listened one more time ,,,
Alan's picture
Submitted by Alan on Sat, 11/07/2009 - 3:13pm.
Both of you are complete morons this album is awesome, you are all just upset that the clean vocals don't match YOUR standards. They don't have to, they have to match the band's first. You know more often than not the band has to think about themselves before the fans, and TRUE fans understand that. Fairweather fans like yourselves do not. The only people on this page that can actually see the talent in this album are myself, Anonymous, and SparksFury (main reviewer).
Bodaget's picture
Submitted by Bodaget on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 12:07pm.
No way the new album is B.S.
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 12:57am.

The new album kick ass, really good

J. Deathscript's picture
Submitted by J. Deathscript on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 12:33am.

The new album is rubbish. They don't even make so much as a blip on my "give-a-shit" radar anymore.

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