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Symphorce > Godspeed > Reviews
Symphorce - Godspeed

Middling in a time of malaise. - 54%

hells_unicorn, July 23rd, 2021
Written based on this version: 2005, CD, Metal Blade Records

All good things come to an end, and by the time 2005 rolled in, it was all but undisputed that the 2nd wave of power metal was foundering significantly. As with most of the icons of the 80s metal craze circa 1992, this manifested itself in a massive identity crisis that saw many of the sub-genre's mainstays releasing lackluster offerings after a significant period of studio silence, alongside most others adopting a modified approach that chased after the AOR-steeped variant popularized by Masterplan or a groovier, darker niche that dovetailed with the prog-leanings of Nevermore. To be fair, the European wave of the millennial period was a diverse movement that had a number of bands exploring these subsets going back to its early days, but it was becoming less common to hear the good old speed-infused, grandiose displays of Helloween-inspired majesty that were the norm just a couple years earlier. This was basically the perfect time for lesser bands to rise to prominence, and although the prognosticators of modern mediocrity Symphorce had already enjoyed a two album run on Metal Blade Records, it was their 2005 mixed bag Godspeed that would end up generating the greatest buzz.

Though this German outlier has generally had a tenuous connection to the power metal scene in Europe and beyond, there has always been a melodic tinge to their approach that keeps any other label from really sticking to their quirky sound, and this is the first album since 2000's Sinctuary that this catchier element comes into a degree of focus. This is accomplished largely by borrowing heavily from the sound of vocalist Andy Franck's other band Brainstorm, to the point where it gets a little difficult to tell at times whether this is actually a collection of B-sides from Liquid Monster. There is a degree of logic as to why this was done, as both albums were staples of Metal Blade's brief honeymoon with power metal, and the somewhat controversial 6th Brainstorm LP was a bright spot in the otherwise lackluster showing that power metal had during 2005. Godspeed itself would share in the controversy despite its success due to what was likely one of the key factors in it selling as well as it did, namely the introduction of some pretty glaring nu-metal influences into the equation. Indeed, if what ties this album to the signature Brainstorm sound gives it strength over its immediate predecessors, what makes it unique proves a fatal detriment.

Built within this 42 minute fit of stylistic meandering is just under 30 minutes of fairly solid music, showcasing a band that proves capable of delivering a consistent result, yet also one that is entirely unwilling to do so. Maintaining the band's tendency towards a darker aesthetic, the opening acoustic prelude "Foresight" begins things on a dreary yet competent note, showcasing a forerunner to what would become the brilliant opening to Brainstorm's 2011 LP On The Spur Of The Moment. Nipping on its heels is a solid, chunky speed anthem in "Everlasting Life" that is basically a glorified copy of a number of Brainstorm opening anthems, complete with one of those infectious chorus hooks that also doubles as an impressive vocal display out of Franck. The somewhat groovier crusher "No Shelter" that follows also carries some pretty heavy Brainstorm vibes, and while the riff work and lead breaks put forth by Dupont and Pohl are a bit one the showy side, the cohesion factor is thankfully not sacrificed. But where the secret behind this album's popularity and controversy is revealed is the coasting half-ballad "Nowhere", which is probably the safest and simplest offering put out by this outfit. It's a borderline hard rock anthem that's streamlined and tailored for radio play, and became something of a minor hit outside the metal scene, but it manages to work well in spite of itself.

Following what is essentially the biggest roll that this band has ever been on, the middle of this album basically falls out as the catchy yet still power metal oriented Brainstorm homages give way to some truly cringe-inducing dreck. Like a nightmare at a Slipknot songwriting session, "Haunting" just sort of chugs and clunks its way along, steeped in grating sound effects and even featuring Franck's vocals devolve into quasi-rapping rot during the verse sections. "Black Water" plummets further into mallcore territory, listening like the bastard child of Limp Bizkit and 311 with some woefully out of place vocal gymnastics trading blows with more pseudo-tough guy rubbish. There are a couple of recoveries from this nu-metal malaise in the form of pounding modern thrashers "Wounds Will Last Within" and "Without A Trace", and the closing ballad "Crawling Walls For You" presents a decent, melancholy bookend to an album that started off fairly promising, but these are tempered with the clumsy Machine Head-inspired mess that is "Your Cold Embrace" and the grating country/blues turned modern rocker "The Mirrored Room", which stands as the biggest "what the hell" moment on this whole album that probably even had the mallcore fan boys scratching their heads.

There's a logic as to why this album received a mixed reaction from those who otherwise viewed this band as a real player in the European metal scene, as it does veer away from the nebulous, progressive groove sound of the previous two albums and it's definitely compromised a bit by some questionable influences. Nevertheless, when getting into a song for song comparison with the forgettable and uncommitted showings that were PhorcefulAhead and Twice Second, this is definitely a better album. At their best, this band was never really a plausible rival to the giants that defined the turn-of-the-millennium heyday of European power metal, but more of an afterthought by a collection of technically competent musicians who couldn't really settle on a particular direction. Those who want to hear the sound that this album was attempting done in a far more consistent and polished fashion would do well to seek out Soul Temptation and Liquid Monster, or basically any other album that Brainstorm has put out since. Why this band was ever seriously in contention within the European metal scene will likely remain a mystery, and thankfully no further clues have emerged since 2011.

Stinkforce - 40%

Erin_Fox, October 28th, 2006

Symphorce obviously likes Dream Theater and it would be quite hard for the band to deny the fact. “Godspeed” ultimately is majestic in some moments and during others, it is wildly predictable. An ultra-compressed mix reigns in the songparts that strive to break away from the reigns of power metal into more aggressive soundscapes. Good ol' Andy Franck bears the round-sounding voice of Tate at times, but some of the tones that he utters are a touch too bland for the band’s generally muscular riffing. His voice does grab a bit of that Hetfield bite during “No Shelter” and “Black Water”, but doesn’t clamp down hard enough for it to stick.

For Godspeed, the songwriting is there, just not necessarily the performance and here the finger points squarely at Franck. As the band members most often provide an ample champion like-tones, “Nowhere” finds the listener feeling that Franck should leave the love metal to Ville Valo. You have to admire the bruising strength shown in cuts like “The Haunting”, where the entire band stand on-point in one of this record’s truly shining moments.

Unfortunately, those moments are just too few and far between in order to hail this album as being anything that could be considered groundbreaking. Fans that enjoy a bit of thrash grooving power metal with a progressive aura will go for this if they are diehards but for the most part, this is going to be nothing new to longtime headbangers.

A disappointment, but still OK ! - 65%

Nightrunner, September 17th, 2005

I looked forward to this release after the two great albums ”Phorceful Ahead” and ”Twice Second”, but to be honest i’m actually a little bit disappointed with ”Godspeed”. It’s a very uneven album, it has about 5 good songs, but the rest of the album are really fillers. I don’t know what it is, but some songs just feel way too much Nu-metalish. Just listen to “Black Water”, there’s at least 80% Nu-metal in that song I can tell you, and it’s for sure on of the weakest on the album. But in general it’s the same Symphorce we know, heavy parts mixed with progressive, calm, technical parts, but just in a weaker version than before.

The album’s plus side is like always, Andy’s vocals. I’m starting to like this guy’s vocals more and more and he has become a favourite of mine, really powerful voice. The production is also great, the guitars and bass sounds thicker than ever and the drums are heavy prodded, s no complains on those parts. And on the positive side of the songs are the heavy mid-tempo “Everlasting Life” (best on the album too), the moderately fast and heavy “Haunting”, it has a lame chorus but great verses. “Wounds Will Last Within” and “Your Cold Embrace” are also two heavy songs, “Wounds” has some really cool riffs and a great chorus. “Your Cold Embrace” has ripping riffs, and a awesome pre-chorus. And we also have "The Mirrored Room" a heavy one with a cool and bluesy intro. A fairly lame chorus, but the rest of the song is great.

In any way, I would recommend you to buy “Phorceful..” and “Twice..” before this album, ‘cause they kick this album pretty easily on most parts. For me “Godspeed” is one the biggest disappointment of 2005, but it’s still a absolutely OK album though.

3 best songs: Everlasting Life, Wounds Will Last Within, Your Cold Embrace