Eden Fire

I got a soft spot for modern metal. However, that spot is very, very small. About a size of a head of a pin. Swedish newcomers Sonic Syndicate's debut studio album 'Eden Fire' partly hits the spot, so that's a job well done, let me tell you.

Crunchy American-style rhythm guitar work is in bigger role than lead guitar, therefore reminding me In Flames' 'Reroute to Remain' (2002) and 'Soundtrack to Your Escape' (2004) albums. So, guitar melodies are a bit too rare, but still there's more of them than on those In Flames platters. But as on them, also here some of the lead guitar work is muted. When those guitar melodies are heard, they remind me of Dark Tranquillity and such. Synths bring in some melody (piano, strings etc.) and are used effectively, if not uniquely, to bring in modern element with bleeps and such. Heavy riffs together with punchy drumming and bass playing admittedly make a powerful rhythmic base. Songs work quite well, but there are a couple of fillers thrown on the middle of the album (e.g. 'Misanthropic Coil'). The biggest drawback is the use of similar elements throughout the album. 'Eden Fire' was composed by one man alone, so maybe some ideas from other band members might had worked miracles. Two out of three chapters (= 7 songs) are the bands old stuff, which has been released on two separate EPs. I haven't hear those EPs, but it reads that the songs are reworked for this release.

Vocals are very varying. A lot of different growls from low ones to screamy ones are well done, again reminding me of In Flames. There's some emo-style male singing on the first song, which is horrible, thanks to the image it creates for me. Female vocals are too rare, because they certainly liven up 'Enhance My Nightmare'. Some of the lyrics (can be found on the band's website) are filled with religious allegories, others are metaphorical. Some texts are interesting and quite original.

Sonic Syndicate is, I believe, good stuff for those who like In Flames' new style and modern rhythm centric metal. But for Sonic Syndicate's defence against all those plagiarism charges, I must say this is better than In Flames nowadays are! And these fellas definitely have better looking bass player, hehe. All in all, I find that this kind of stuff usually doesn't have a long lasting appeal, but only time will tell.

(Originally written for ArchaicMetallurgy.com in 2006)

These youngsters often hang around in the latter day Gothenberg clique sound-wise, impressing upon the listener a hybrid of In Flames and Trail Of Tears melodic aggressiveness. Separated into three separate acts, this well though out disc sows that this band possesses wisdom beyond their rather young years, directing a focused musical onslaught that can compete with the very best in the field. Vocalist Richard Sjvnnesson has the Euro-snarl down to a science and bassist Karin Axelsson chimes in with Goth-inspired “angelic” vocals during tracks like “Enhance My Nightmare”, as she puts forth an outstanding effort of advancing and enhancing the total sound of Sonic Syndicate. Thick, wall-of-sound rhythms give tracks like “Zion Must Fall” an immense backdrop for Sjvnnesson to conduct his harsh, sneering vox.

It should be noted that Sonic Syndicate is not really breaking any new ground here, and that’s the only issue keeping this from being a five star effort. However, it can’t be denied that they do their job quite well, which is mandatory if you’re making music that is not wholly original. Drummer Kristoffer Backlvnd beats his double bass like a helicopter at full throttle during “Misanthropic Coil”, attacking the track with a fierce impunity. Much of the music of the Syndicate is purely relentless in terms of tempo. The group keeps coming at you with barrage after barrage of dark fury, while the counterbalancing melodies littered throughout the album do much to round out the group’s distinct sound. Well written lyrics stick closely to central thematic substances, making the whole affair story-like and necessitating a front to back spin with each listen.

Actually, it is quite surprising just how much talent this band has in relation to their age. Hopefully further maturity will bring more in the way of guitar solos, but the keyboards do provide a sufficient amount of melodic variety so as to make the lack of complex soloing unapparent. There’s is definitely a group of metalheads out there that will go stark raving mad over the music Sonic Syndicate delivers. As the flagship release for Pivotal Rockordings, this album is nothing less than a complete coup, and a bloody one at that.