Symphony Of
Pain – Virology
01. My Laboratory
02. Darkling
03. Virus
04. Down
05. Green Eyes
06. Suspicion
07. Ghost Moon
08. I Can’t Believe
09. Futile
10. War Machine
Tracie Law (Vocals)
Pam Chowhan
(Violin/Keyboards/Piano)
Mark Bloxsidge (Bass)
Jonas Costa (Guitar)
Johanne James (Drums)
Guest Musicians:
Jiaxin Lloyd Webber
(Cello)
Latana Phoung (Mezzo
Soprano Vocal)
It was way back in
September 2013 when I reviewed Symphony OF Pain’s debut album ‘Hydeology’, it
was a quirky mix of Pop/Goth & Rock.
Much has changed in the
passing of time, Tracie and Pam are still the main duo and are now joined by a
new set of musicians, of note is another ex-member of Krybgrinder (Dave Dart
was on the first release) this time it is drummer Johanne, and for those of us
who can go back to that early post NWOBHM era, former bassist with Trilogy Mark
Bloxsidge.
The album starts with ‘My
Laboratory’ a nod to Mary Shelly’s creation, the vocal is delivered with that
same quirky tone that made the debut so appealing, the music however is a lot
heavier than I would have expected.
Taking on a more
epic/symphonic sound for ‘Darkling’ complete with stunning violin playing, it
would seem that the band have really started to adapt their craft to a more
mature sound.
Whilst the production and
choral backing make the song ‘Virus’ very enjoyable to hear, I am somewhat
confused by the lyric which has no connection with a virus whatsoever, if they
are trying to convey some form of message about destruction and/or unemployment
then it fails on every level, if on the other hand it is implying that humans
are the virus, then that doesn’t come across either.
Fortunately ‘Down’ layered
with epic violin once again, returns to a more understandable lyric and in fact
the whole song mixes Folk and Progressive rock with true class.
This continues with ‘Green
Eyes’ which also manages to throw in a tech/industrial keyboard and sampling.
Now having just glanced at
the lyrics for the next song I am wondering if this could be a nod to the
Prince of Rock N Roll Elvis, because the song is called ‘Suspicion’ and the
first line of the song is “you are always on my mind”.
In fact this a melancholy ballad
that is more Nick Cave, simple, atmospheric, beautiful melodies, cello, violin
and drums in perfect harmony, and by far Tracie’s best and most heartfelt vocal
thus far.
An instrumental follows
called ‘Ghost Moon’ again very big on the atmospherics and some synthesized
sitar in the mix, flowing out of this is ‘I Can’t Believe’ and fairly straight
forward hard rocker.
‘Futile’ and another
attempt at a “message” lyric, this one I think fairs better than ‘Virus’ but
still feels a little confused, I guess its not so much anti-charity but making
a comment that due to corruption we shouldn’t need it in the first place.
But then if that’s the
case why, despite the commercial rock sound with its infectious and catchy
chorus, would you then add to the mix samples of Oppenheimer, JFK and Martin Luther King?
We end with ‘War Machine’,
beginning with its rhythmic drum pattern and synth pulse it explodes into a
full on assault of screaming guitar work and an evil sounding vocal and then
ends all too soon with a melodic keyboard outro.
This album is a huge leap
forward from their debut, it is heavier and demonstrates a much more mature
sound, in many ways a different band altogether. I confess that I am not
convinced that “message” lyrics work within the context of what the band were
known for, perhaps this is a transition album, yes there is the goth influence at
the start of the album, but by the end we see a band wanting to address certain
issues, I guess we shall find out when album number three eventually appears.
Rating 9/10
For Fans Of: Therion,
Current 93, Alice Cooper, Skyclad
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