Black Symphony - Tears Of Blood


Year of Release: 2001
Label: Rising Sun
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 55:41:00

This is US act Black Symphony's long awaited second album and follow-up to the hugely successful debut Breathe (also released as a self-titled album, The Black Symphony) that sold over 50,000 copies worldwide. That was an amazing accomplishment for an independent band. Great to see the band finally being picked up by Rising Sun which is releasing this CD in Europe.

Tears Of Blood follows somewhat in the same style as the debut meaning slightly dark, moody, energetic and dynamic melodic power metal. Mike Pierce's rusty mid-ranged vocals has a lot of balls and gives the band a somewhat aggressive and melodic sound. The crunchy in-your-face guitars and atmospheric keys make an excellent combination. If you are a sucker for crunchy staccato riffing pay attention! Although Breathe had some killer songs, I think it is fair to say that Tears Of Blood is a stronger and more consistent album. The songs need a few rounds in the player before the melodies grab you, but once they do, you are hooked. There is some really interesting use of vocal arrangements and Pierce stands out as a very versatile vocalist. Black Symphony has a rather unique sound and is hard to compare to any other bands, although Evergrey and Angel Dust occasionally comes to mind. The songwriting is intelligent and there is no doubt a lot of work has been put into the various arrangements and to the characteristic sound. As on the debut, the production is well balanced, thick and full.

There is hardly anything negative to put my finger on about this CD and I don't feel like criticising just for the sake of criticising it. There are many superlatives that can be said about Black Symphony but why not check this album out and judge for yourself. Black Symphony sounds fresh and endearing and the metal scene sorely needs a band of this calibre. If you are into crunchy, melodic metal with a progressive touch, put down by rock solid musicians, this is your thing. Tears Of Blood is another step in the right direction and I sincerely hope the success of the debut will continue with this new album. It is well deserved.

[Other reviews list Ric Plamondon as vocalist, as I have here ?ed.]

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Tears Of Blood (4:50) / It Remains A Mystery (3:07) / Take Me Down (3:46) / I Am Hate (3:44) / Death (7:02) / Burned (4:14) / Over And Over (3:56) / Tears Of Blood (part II) (3:13) / Forgive Me (4:58) / Left In Confusion (2:44) / Into The Dark (6:01) / The Black Symphony (part II) (8:01)

Musicians:
Ric Plamondon - vocals
Rick Plester - guitars
Rev Jones - bass
Mattias Burstrom - keyboards
Pete Holmes - drums

Discography:
Breathe (also released as The Black Symphony) (1997)
Tears Of Blood (2001)

Genre: Melodic Metal

Origin US

Added: November 26th 2004
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website: www.blacksymphony.com
Hits: 2435
Language: english

  

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