Sinocence: Scar Obscura

Northern Irish Metallers Sinocence originally issued second album Scar Obscura a year or so back through Rising Records but having now gone down the self-financed route this enhanced package re-release comes via their own Metalbox recordings. Receiving widespread critical acclaim and having completed tours with the likes of W.A.S.P., Machine Head, BFMV and Lacuna Coil, Sinocence are clearly front runners amongst Metal's current crop of up and coming bands to watch, and if they can build on this outstanding album they will very soon be challenging the elite.

Big, bold and brash, Scar Obscura immediately explodes with the huge sounding "Perfect Denial" and the pace rarely lets up for the next hour. Vocalist Moro is a singer not a screamer and this ensures the lyrics are given strong emphasis against the backdrop of aggressive riffing and insistent rhythms. Mellow and reflective, "Art of Separation" is a mid-album gem of heart breaking intensity and the female background vocals add to the mood of despondency. At more than nine minutes, the closing "Terminus" is a haunting affair that builds with precision; muscular riffs and an aching vocal refrain that oozes quality. But this is more than an album of three songs, each one makes its own impression and there is simply nothing here that is undeserving.

Comparisons would only serve as an injustice as Sinocence are very much their own band; powerful, hook laden, melodic metal that is complex yet accessible and very much deserving of being heard by a wider audience. Their sound is one that will undoubtedly hold appeal to Metal fans old and new and Scar Obscura comes highly recommended.

Track Listing
1. Perfect Denial
2. Metal Box
3. God Complex
4. Ultraviolent
5. Art of Separation
6. Eviscerate
7. Rule As One
8. All New Revenge
9. Scar Obscura
10. Terminus

Added: December 26th 2010
Reviewer: Dean Pedley
Score:
Related Link: MySpace
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Language: english

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