SYNESTHESIE „Horrors of an Old Turntable”

Music: Melodic Black Metal
Website: http://synesthesie.redby.fr
Country: France
Cool songs: A Betrayed Heart, The Vengeance Remains

The French SYNESTHESIE was formed in 2003 and at the beginning the group was called SKULL X. The founding ‘fathers’ were Brice and Clément, at the beginning they were the base guitarists of the group, but when Camille joined them, Clément changed his gear to bass guitar. After some time the line up consolidated. Stephanie, who sings the opera-like parts is a guest musician, featuring on ‘Horrors…’.

The musicians from SYNESTHESIE feed the listener with a typical black melt – not far from being average, but also from being original. First of all their music is quite powerful and conveys a large dose of aggression, it is authentic, the musicians know what to play and how to do it well. They feed us with a varied material containing melodic influences. The compositions are not extremely innovative, though they seem to resemble any other black metal. Although the compositions are embellished with very interesting melodic motifs which help the listener to go through the whole album with a shade of a vicious smile on his face. The extended keyboard parts or sweet feminine voice of Stephanie slam everything, not to mention heavy metal solos a la IRON MAIDEN from the early 80’s. It gives the album an old-school character, as long as it is done diligently and crafty. It seems that there is nothing to pick on, as far as this field is considered: the band have their own style which they follow, with which they play all the time.

From the very beginning sheer chaos hits the listener – at first sight it seems to be a deliberately done effect, so that the music would sound harsh, to emphasize the musicians’ individual character. Although after a few songs later it starts to be annoying, as the musicians sometimes lose rhythm and pace. Especially the drummer seems not to cope with the pace. His fills do not cooperate with the rest of the instruments. But is just a slight drawback, having in mind the fact that SYNESTHESIE is a very young band, playing extremely fast and aggressive metal. As for their first album – it could not have been better.

‘Horrors of an Old Turntable’ is a quite good album, an interesting proposition for all black metal fans who like to get something new from it. It is a young band deserving a better attention. The fact that they are from ‘non-metal’ France is just another argument for a further listening. As for a debut it is a good job.

note: 7.5/10

Tracklist

1. Nightmare and the Dream
2. Dragon of Libya
3. A Betrayed Heart
4. If Only
5. Versets
6. The Vengeance Remains
7. She Comes
8. The Gruesome Danse
9. Victim of My Heart
10. Last Corpse
11. Résurection

Total playing time: 42:12

Line-up

Camille – vocals, guitars
Brice – guitars
Clément – bass
Scarecrow – drums, keyboards
Stephanie – additional vocals