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Links: - Band Logo - Google Video Search - Official Myspace - Official Purevolume - Official Website - Listenable Records Review information: - Release length: 1:03:37 - Review posted on January 19th, 2010 |
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Review
Sybreed has gained a very devout following over the years thanks to their ability to blend Industrial and Groove Metal so perfectly to create a sound that sometimes is uplifting, as well as sometimes dark and almost gothic, all as if created by some sort of machine. On the band's third full length release, The Pulse of Awakening, Sybreed continues to perfect this sound on what could very well be an incredibly moving release for fans of harder music. The change from their debut album, Slave Design, to this release has been an uncanny one, and the various musical influences the members bring into the band become more obvious through this release to create something both dark and beautiful at the same time. The Pulse Of Awakening kicks right off with "Nomenklatura", which shifts it's sound between a very dark song with an overall science fiction atmosphere, to a very uplifting chorus and other moments that seem to instill some form of hope in the listener. This happens throughout the album on many other songs, but not all follow this set up. "Doomsday Party" is a more Progressive track with some heavy synth work being utilized. Much of the album is very unique because of elements like this, as well as some of the Dark Wave and Electro influences thrown in. All that said, the album is finely crafted and has some amazing tracks. The biggest drawback would be that some of the material starts to sound the same and become repetative, even though "Love Like Blood" is as good as "Killjoy" or even "A.E.O.N." was. But, either way the album is enjoyable despite that fact. It does, however, have some other flaws aside a somewhat repetative feeling drawing to the end. While "Nomenklatura" is an amazing song and basically defines the album, the singing on the track for the chorus is absolutely annoying, as if the vocalist is keeping himself restrained and singing from the back of his throat, purposely holding back from being any louder then a nasally child's indoor voice. This appears in some other tracks too, such as in the somewhat drawn out "Lucifer Effect". Once you become accustomed to the way the vocalist sings on these few tracks, you grasp why it's done that way, almost to bring an element of innocence into the music, but what about the out of place "Human Black Box"? It's a fantastic song, but really abuses the distortion on the vocals by making them sound far more like a machine then human, and are so high pitched that they clash with the song and make your ears perk like a dog's when you use a silent whistle to gain their attention. When it comes down to it, The Pulse Of Awakening is a pretty kick ass release, it's just by the time you hit "Love Like Blood", you pretty much want to pack it in as there isn't anything else new to discover at that point, or even a bit before it. The first half of the album is absolutely spectacular and well worth checkingt he album out for. Sybreed continue to create a musical sound all their own, as well as perfect it, and this release is no exception. With a few flaws here and there, some that obviously will stick with the band such as the somewhat restrained singing style that appears during the chorus of a few songs, as well as a bit of filler that hopefully will not exist on their next release, The Pulse Of Awakening is a breath of fresh air into the Metal, as well as the Industrial communities, and a must hear for fans of either style. |
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