So, Christian Älvestam delved into a few projects after departing from Scar Symmetry. The standard melo-death of Miseration, the more aggressive The Few Against Many, and now the Swede is involved in (restrained and commercial) supergroup Solution .45.
The presence of Älvestam’s Miseration and The Few Against Many cohorts (guitarists Patrik Gardberg and Tom Gardiner, bassist Anders Edlund and drummer Rolf Pilve) might indicate (the cover would be a dead giveaway) this is more furious melo-death. But Solution .45’s affiliation with AFM Records (Masterplan, Sinner , Heavenly, etc), as well as the heavy presence of guest keyboardist Mikko Härkin (Kenziner, Kotipelto, Sonata Arctica), means For Aeons Past isn’t an underground metal exercise, but something else entirely.
Arguably the most commercial and mainstream of Älvestam’s projects, Solution .45 is more of a diet melo-death record, with the emphasis on soaring vocals, lots of synths and a pace that’s reminiscent of female-fronted gothic metal acts like Delain, Epica, After Forever, Theatre of Tragedy, etc. Granted, Älvestam delivers some of his patented deep growls here and there (i.e., “For Aeons Past”), but much like gothic metal, they are secondary to the lead vocals.
“Through Night Kingdomed Gates”, “For Aeons Past”, “Bladed Vaults”, “Wirethrone” and opener “The Close Beyond” are Solution .45‘s manliest ― even aggressive ― tracks, whereas “Gravitational Lensing”, “Clandestinity Now”, and “On Embered Fields Adjust” play off predictable rock-based verse-chorus themes; safe and sugary sounding. For Aeons Past tempers a bit on semi-ballads “Leathean Tears” and “Into Shadow”, but, if anything, the performances are top notch. While Solution .45 is songwriting-cautious, production-wise For Aeons Past slacks nowhere. It’s robust and powerful.
Even though For Aeons Past is an entertaining and very polished effort, Solution .45 still manages to underwhelm. But then again, with Älvestam’s voice front and center, fans are certain to believe the frontman can do no wrong. And he’s been a Dan Swanö rip-off for years.
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oh well at least their logo is cool, looks like the old At the Gates logo
on Jun 2nd, 2010 at 10:16I love this album, but most would probably expect that as I’m a huge Alvestam fan – I have a serious weak spot for virtually anything the man involves himself in, especially vocally.
You’re right in saying this is his most commercialized effort, but I got more of a Soilwork/Scar Symmetry vibe from this, though it’s certainly more candy coated than his work with Scar Symmetry. Oh well, I still jam it.
on Jun 2nd, 2010 at 13:59Oh, forgot to mention I’m a huge Swano fan too. Go figure, right?
on Jun 2nd, 2010 at 14:00I resent the Epica comparison. Epica is far more exciting than this shit. And I loved Scar Symmetry… what the fuck, Christian?
on Jun 2nd, 2010 at 18:55“The standard melo-death of Miseration”
Obviously you haven’t heard The Mirroring Shadow?
on Jun 2nd, 2010 at 20:10All this stuff sounds the same to me. Everything he does sounds like Scar Symmetry. I don’t get how you all see the difference.
on Jun 3rd, 2010 at 07:18Epica ?? I mean wtf are you people smoking ?
Of course it sounds like Scar Symmetry(and thats never a bad thing) – when Scar Symmetry didn’t suck and didn’t have members who look like Popeye.
The new one rules, love the catchiness and accessibility of the album without compromising on the heaviness.
on Jun 3rd, 2010 at 08:05Stiffy – while this does sound a good deal like Scar Symmetry, I can see the differences. But really, do you honestly think Miseration, Unmoored, Torchbearer or Incapacity sound anything like this or Scar Symmetry? Come on now, seems like you might be too easily dismissing alot of stuff.
on Jun 3rd, 2010 at 15:00only Scar Symmetry I hear here is the dual vocals and the poppy, even sweet-sounding choruses.
music is not as technical though, which raises the question, unless you are a diehard Alvestam completist, why listen to a band that sounds like 60% of Scar Symmetry’s elements when you can listen to 100% of Scar Symmetry instead? (That said I wish Alvestam had not left Scar in the first place).
on Jun 3rd, 2010 at 16:08Which one looks like Popeye?
on Jun 3rd, 2010 at 16:59Probably R.Karlsson. Dude does the silliest faces on the Noumenon and Phenomenon video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylTmVkmsuws
on Jun 3rd, 2010 at 17:16Yep.
on Jun 4th, 2010 at 09:07Old Scar Symmetry was badass, new stuff is sort of lame, the two new singers just don’t cut the mustard, they also pose like there’s no tomorrow, the growler makes a total mockery of himself and all thing growly and the crooner just reeks of gheyness, he does that Justin Timberlake shit with his hands, total douche. To me it’s just a complete gimmick. The old singer WAS Scar Symmetry, now they are mediocre at best….anyways… just my two cents.
on Jun 4th, 2010 at 09:48music is not as technical though, which raises the question, unless you are a diehard Alvestam completist, why listen to a band that sounds like 60% of Scar Symmetry’s elements when you can listen to 100% of Scar Symmetry instead?
Well from my point of view, it’s just more of the same good shit. But I suppose I am a bit of a Alvestam completist/fanboy. :D
on Jun 4th, 2010 at 15:13Jordan you basically made my point. But Larry you are right, those other bands do not sound like Scar Symmetry.
on Jun 5th, 2010 at 08:43