Sonic Syndicate
Only Inhuman

THE REVIEW

The story is well-known: 1500 bands for one winner, with a contract from the ever more sprawling Nuclear Blast at stake, and it's the band of the three Sjunnesson brothers that gets it, formed in 2002 with the original moniker Fallen Angels.

Put like that, it seems like we're witnessing a sort of "Operation Triumph" with Anders Friden standing in for Miguel Bosé, and indeed, the suspicion that commercial potential rather than artistic aspirations were evaluated is in this case more than a certainty, as clearly evidenced by the ultra-polished look of the six Swedish musicians and the promotional means that accompanied the album's release.

With these premises, the sonic mix proposed by the band could only be a modern metal extremely rich in groove, and indeed it is: on the occasion of their second work, they show that they have literally worn out the latest records by the leaders of the European modern metal scene (In Flames and Soilwork) and the most prominent American melodic metalcore bands (Still Remains, Bleeding Through), true tutelary deities of this "Only Inhuman."

So, already heard everything? Absolutely yes, but also everything extremely effective: it's indeed hard to resist the charge of songs like "Afterneath" or "Denied" (first single, the video is also nice), not to mention the super catchy cover of T.A.T.U’s "All About Us," without forgetting the remaining nine tracks, listening to which you'll find it hard not to tap your foot or find yourself singing their choruses in the shower after just two listens...

It's certainly undeniable that the six "sonic unionists" invent nothing new, but, thanks also to the precious support of Mama Nuke, deliver us an extremely polished package in every respect (from packaging to truly "boombastic" production) that will delight the new emo-metal generations used to breakfasting with the "five chords of Kinder Metalcore plus."

If, on the other hand, like myself, despite having a few years and/or more listens, you're not bothered by the fact that the plastic you'll find in this CD not only includes the case but also deeply permeates the audio content, well... give this second work of Sonic Syndicate a chance: but when you find yourself singing lyrics imbued with lyricism like "You're someone to the world, but you're the world for someone" (from Psychic Suicide: they must have copied my sister who wrote the same things on her Smemo in 8th grade...) don't say I didn't warn you!!