Search - Symphorce :: Become Death

Molten modern metal

Brent E. Johnson | Naches, WA | 03/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I wish that groups like slipknot and other grodie metal bands would be replaced on radio with the likes of this. High quality modern day metal that is hard to categorize as it's not really symphonic, not nu-metal not alterna metal. Just good solid songs with great musicianship to back them up. Andy Frank is an awesome singer with a smooth voice but grit when he needs it. This is a metal album that shows somes roots in the past but doesn't dwell there. If your looking for some modern metal to sate your palate, don't want gargoyle vocals and enjoy good lyric structure, (they seem almost christian in a vague sense) this is a great find."

Another Winner from Symphorce!

MetalMarc | Grand Rapids, MI USA | 03/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like a well oiled machine Symphorce keep pumping out 5 star albums with consistency and precision! 'Become Death' is no exception although it did take me a few spins to fully get into the album this time. That could be contributed to the fact that the album order is a little out of wack IMO.



There are many reasons I regard Symphorce as one of my top 10 bands in the current metal era. First, Symphorce's music has a lot of balls! While always melodic they never forget to add the aggression and always sound powerful! They also throw the rule book out the window as you can hear elements of trad metal, power, thrash, prog, nu, goth, and even deathmetal in there sound. Very original, unpredictable, and modern sounding too! Top it off with one of the very best metal vocalists period in Andy Frank!



Because of the albums diverse nature I will break down each song individually.



1. Darkness Fills the Sky - 10/10

Probably their heaviest song ever! A full on speed/thrash/death metal song that reminds me a lot of the song 'Born' from Nevermore's latest album 'TGE' Andy does a great job with some aggressive vocal stylings while never going into all out death metal growls or anything. This song is a masterpiece!



2. Condemned - 6.5/10

This is where I question the album order a bit. Condemned isn't neccessarily a bad track but one of the weakest off the album. A mid-tempo track that borrows too heavily from the song chorus from 'Everlasting Life' from the previous album and falls flat after the very impressive opener.



3. In the Hopes of a Dream - 7/10

Very different odd style semi-ballad type song that Symphorce likes to experiment with a lot. Overall a decent song, but should not have been selected the 3rd overall track?



4. Death has Come - 9/10

Symphorce picks it up again here with a nice fast thrashy track in vein of the opener. Great song!



5. Inside the Cast - 10/10

Wow, maybe the best chorus Symphorce have ever written! This should have been the 2nd track. A midtempo song with a slight goth feel. Another masterpiece of a song!



6. No Final Words to Say - 7/10

Another one of those odd semi type ballad songs. See 'In the Hopes of a Dream'



7. Towards the Light - 10/10

Along with track 1 and 5, another one of the albums true masterpiece songs! The chorus is just awesome and really every bit as good as 'Inside the Cast'.



8. Ancient Prophecies - 7.5/10

Cool guitar intro and a song with a real nice and heavy groove. The chorus is a little off but it does grow on you.



9. Lost but Found - 8/10

Good solid speedy number that reminds me a lot of '2 Seconds to Live' off one of their previous albums 'Twice Second'



10. Lies - 9/10

Another one of those odd type ballads only this time they hit the nail on the head with a very effective chorus that makes this a very good song.



After repeated listens I am tempted to say that this is Symphorce's best album to date. I won't because song for song this album is not as consistent throughout. However I do feel songs 'Darkness Fills the Sky', 'Inside the Cast' and 'Towards the Light' are possibly the finest 3 songs that the band have ever written! I also would have liked to hear Cede let loose on the solo's a little more. They are not quite up to par with the solo's on prior releases.



Definitely a top ten album for 2007!"

Symphorce FINALLY staying consistent! (4.5 stars)

David Falzano | Boston, MA USA | 03/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Symphorce's 6th album & it is the 2nd consistent album in terms of the bands musical direction & production quality. It seemed to have taken Symphorce many albums to finally make a 5 star album with their last effort 'Godspeed,' but with 'Become Death' the band is still going strong & shows Symphorce's future is looking great! I would have to say that 'Godspeed' is better than this one, but if you really liked the last album then this one will live up to your expectations. One thing is for sure, this album definitely shows a darker side to the band like the album name & cover suggest. Buy it Symphorce fans!"