By: Anders

Posted: Oct 15, 2005

The German merchants of powerful melodic metal are back with a new album, not more than a good year after their last release "Twice Second", I never really got into "Twice Second", there was some good stuff on the album, but it was a bit too modern sounding for me. The funny thing is, that "Godspeed", their new album, is a bit more modern and groovy than the previous album, but the way the band fuses together the modern groovy and heavy elements together with the swirling melodies is awesome.

The real force of Symphorce has always been the amazing voice delivered by Andy B. Franck. He has one of the most powerful and captivating vocals in today's world of heavy metal. His clean power metal scream is huge and addictive, but he can vary his vocals in many ways, and they do often sound great. He experiments quite a bit on this album, and not everything is as successful as other. Though the man can sing and carries the band and material a long way. Even though there isn't a doubt about, that his clean and "normal" heavy metal vocal is his best feature.

Musically the band is fusing heavy basic tracks, groovy and rather nu-metal sounding pieces, with the great guitar melodies, killer leads and great solo work. Much of the drum work is break-beat based, which once again leads the thought onto nu-metal. Though the flow and the drive of the material is good and gripping. Together with the classic heavy metal guitar work, and the vocals it all works itself up into a higher and powerful wholesome. The good and heavy production, does also kick the music out of the speakers and adds a tad of energy and force to the final output.

I reckon there are quite a few Symphorce fans that will be disappointed when they hear this album. Though I got positively surprise, and can now say that the album is a grower. It doesn't settle in just at once, it needs some time and becomes very enchanting with time. The guitar work is blistering, the vocals are amazing and the music as such kicks ass. 11 tracks of modern heavy metal the German way, which might be the new way!

Rating: 8/10

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