This record really surprised me. When I got it, I was excited about the fact that they are a power metal band. I can't get enough of the stuff, so naturally I was stoked. I started checking out the CD insert and saw that they are from Germany. Germany has given birth to some of my favorite power metal bands. Both Blind Guardian and Galloglass are German bands and Massacre Records just released the latest installment from Sweden's Axenstar. I pretty much knew what to expect from Symphorce's Become Death. I was wrong.
While this record definitely belongs in power metal territory, the first track, "Darkness Fills the Sky", blatantly carries a heavy thrash influence, not something found too often in power metal. This track is full of fast heavy riffage and quickly brings itself into it's own. This is not to mention the groove of this entire record, which is best illustrated by "In the Hopes of a Dream."
Most bands that carry a lot of genre influences do so with subtlety and incorporate those influences into a larger more defined sound that fits into a selected genre. Symphorce has managed to blend each influence with prominence. For example, on "Inside the Cast" we hear the heavy goth influence on the band. This surprised me as well.
While most power metal is a throw back to the 1980's school of metal, Become Death keeps power metal modern at the same time. Lyrically it's pretty corny and lacks depth, but this is made up for by a killer soundtrack, with plenty of chugga chugga riffs for power metal's newcomers and ballad like chorus lines for the young at heart. Top this all off with the bands oddly chosen melodies. I say odd because they just aren't typical, and the odd melodies compliment the vocals very well I think.
So if you are a fan of power metal but are looking for something a little different, do yourself a favor and pick up Become Death. If not, sit there and enjoy your fantastic mediocrity!
