Symphony Of Pain - Virology (CD Review)

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

Symphony Of Pain - Hydeology (CD Review)

01.Mister Hyde
02.Darker Side
03.3rd Mauvement
04.Sister Change
05.Lonely
06.Am I Dreaming
07.Kiss The Bride
08.For Now I'm Dead
09.Out Of My Head
10.Broken Clown
11.Nightmare Life

Tracie Law (Vocals/Bass/Guitar/Drums)
Pam Chowhan (Piano/Violin/Keyboards)
Guest Musicians:
Dave Dart (Guitar)
Nick Taylor (Guitar)
Liz Sweetland (Vocals)
Dean Simister (Drum Programming)

Formed by Tracie (from Beki Bondage band) and Pam (Pianist to Andrew Lloyd Webber) the duo set about creating an ecletic gothic rock group.

The debut album is a combination of three years work and features some guest guitar playing from Krybgrinder's Dave Dart.
Right i have listened to the album all the way through, now gonna take a break for a while then come back to it........

This is a weird one to review, it doesnt do what you expect it to, the promo sheet talks of Thin Lizzy and Queensryche as being influences yet neither influence shows anywhere, in fact if you had told me Hawkwind and The Cure then i would have seen that as more obvious.

For an album essentially "Gothic" it has more in common with Tristania jamming with Simon House and Tim Blake, its a very strange and intresting mix of styles, much of the music is symphonic in structure blended with "heavy metal" riffs and drums then amazing sweeping synths (think Tim Blake, Klaus Schulze) and huge violin solo's worthy of Hawkwind/David Bowie player Simon House.

The vocals seem to range from Snowy Shaw (Therion) to Jinx (Deep Switch) and sometimes almost done as narration.

Then add the quirky element like those pop/goth singles that The Cure used to do so well and all this put together gives you an idea of where this album sits.

When i said "doesnt do what you expect it to" this comes in with songs like 'Broken Clown' you would expect a nightmare circus sound, but you dont get one, other songs you expect guitars to come in and they dont, so it tends to throw you off.

The last song 'Nightmare Life' has an opening violin that is pure Hawkwind (in fact i thought it could have been the 1977 classic 'Hassan I Sahba') and i was expecting it to "kick in" and you guessed it....it didnt, well not to start with anyway.

The lyrics seem to range from nursery rhyme themes (very prevelant in 'Am I Dreaming') to dark humour and straight forward goth/horror imagery.

A very good production and layering of sounds, especially in the first few tracks which flow into each other, the later ones come over individually.
There was only one song i didnt like much, but then for my ears it was saved by that brilliant synth/violin instrumental section towards the end.

So for an album that you would simply tag as "Goth" it has much more to offer and consequently would appeal to a wider audience.

Rating 9/10
For Fans Of : Tristania, Therion, Cradle Of Filth, Hawkwind, Emille Autumn, L'Ame Immortale, Ghost Dance




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