Symphony Cult
Symphony Cult appear to be a band who are quietly working their way up the ladder towards world domination. Having formed in 2008, the band consists of 5 members looking to play music together for the same reasons – because they’ve got a passion for it! Having already toured with the likes of Breed 77, we were sent a copy of the bands album, Rewind To Fast Forward to check out, so I figured it was about time I got on board!
Opening with You things are immediately set to dark and distorted yet with a real funky edge added in to keep the fans moving. Launching into the track through a guitar line which is going to make all the guitarists out there jealous, the real deal sealer comes when the vocal line comes into being. I’ll admit, I was caught aback at first but soon found myself really getting into the sound these guys have got, the female vocals from Charlotte adding a further something to things and stopping this becoming just another generic rock band. What’s striking is how she manages to cram more words into the verses than there should be, yet it doesn’t sound crammed or cluttered, it just works and pulls you along for the ride. As an intro track to a band, this does the job perfectly and immediately gets you involved, gets you interested and makes you want to hear more.
Moving into Unspoken the theme of soft vocals over hammering backing music continues, this time working everything over a syncopated drum line which seems to contrast the roving guitar line, the vocals backing everything up through the combination of male and female voices and once again grabbing you to make you listen harder. The chorus to this track can be simply be described in one word – anthem – you’ll be singing along and grabbing the air after a couple of listens whether you want to or not. I love the sound these guys have managed to create here which seems to move from hard to soft whilst keeping everything full of hooks so you’re always on board, always listening out for what is going to come next. This Devastation continues this theme and once again pulls you into a track full of hooks and moments which you’re certain to enjoy. Keeping everything firmly on the heavy side yet keeping that funky edge right there in the mix, this is music which is going to have live crowds jumping along and destroying venues the country over!
Breaking Free and Confess continue the theme of power, but it’s when Under The Lights comes into being that suddenly there’s a whole new twist of emotion thrown into the mix and firmly combined with the sense of melody. Opening as if to suggest something soft is to follow, soon the pace once again picks up and makes this is a serious highpoint on the album, this is a track which you need to hear to believe. The sheer power in the chorus to this track is testament to this bands ability to take a track and make it something more, something which you’re going to want to play very very loud! On Your High Horse follows the softer opening theme whilst once again launching into another riff fuelled melee of power, the guitars seriously taking the lead and making this into a track which is both powerful and aggressive, yet restrained and emotional at the same time. Quite possibly my personal favourite track from the album, this is another moment which you need to make sure you check out if you get a chance.
The Riddle almost fools you into thinking the band has gone soft as the track comes into being, opening with acoustic guitars and soft soothing vocals, this is another emotionally charged track, but don’t be fooled by the soft approach! Soon building into another funk fuelled track full of hammering guitar lines and pounding drums, this is a track which is built for the live scene, and one reason (if you still need one!) to get out there and see these guys. The vocals are the key here, sounding almost hypnotic at times as they’re sung out at you, backed up by the raucous guitar work and pounding rhythm section. Speak, The Answers In My Eyes and Goodbye and Goodnight are all tracks which continue the differing themes within the album, but it’s when we reach Until Tomorrow that everything is finally summed up and given some perspective as if to close off the album. As if to showcase everything they’ve got, this track acts as a final crescendo to proceedings and leaves no doubt in my mind that this is going to an exciting band to get out there and see. Fast, powerful and raw once again, this track closes the album but sets you up perfectly for the next one, leaving you wanting some more and wanting to know what they’re going to do to follow this, how they’re going to match the level they’ve already achieved.
Symphony Cult have surprised me with this album, mainly because the album seems to jump from clean, to heavy and then back again, but it works. The sound created here is one which is powerful and heavy, yet also full of melody and harmonies which are going to keep you engaged and keep you listening meaning you’ll always want to hear what’s going to come next. The combination of different vocal styles matched with musical ability makes this something which is quite simply an album you need to hear, and a band which I can’t wait to get out there to see live!
To find out more about Symphony Cult for yourself, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Opening with You things are immediately set to dark and distorted yet with a real funky edge added in to keep the fans moving. Launching into the track through a guitar line which is going to make all the guitarists out there jealous, the real deal sealer comes when the vocal line comes into being. I’ll admit, I was caught aback at first but soon found myself really getting into the sound these guys have got, the female vocals from Charlotte adding a further something to things and stopping this becoming just another generic rock band. What’s striking is how she manages to cram more words into the verses than there should be, yet it doesn’t sound crammed or cluttered, it just works and pulls you along for the ride. As an intro track to a band, this does the job perfectly and immediately gets you involved, gets you interested and makes you want to hear more.
Moving into Unspoken the theme of soft vocals over hammering backing music continues, this time working everything over a syncopated drum line which seems to contrast the roving guitar line, the vocals backing everything up through the combination of male and female voices and once again grabbing you to make you listen harder. The chorus to this track can be simply be described in one word – anthem – you’ll be singing along and grabbing the air after a couple of listens whether you want to or not. I love the sound these guys have managed to create here which seems to move from hard to soft whilst keeping everything full of hooks so you’re always on board, always listening out for what is going to come next. This Devastation continues this theme and once again pulls you into a track full of hooks and moments which you’re certain to enjoy. Keeping everything firmly on the heavy side yet keeping that funky edge right there in the mix, this is music which is going to have live crowds jumping along and destroying venues the country over!
Breaking Free and Confess continue the theme of power, but it’s when Under The Lights comes into being that suddenly there’s a whole new twist of emotion thrown into the mix and firmly combined with the sense of melody. Opening as if to suggest something soft is to follow, soon the pace once again picks up and makes this is a serious highpoint on the album, this is a track which you need to hear to believe. The sheer power in the chorus to this track is testament to this bands ability to take a track and make it something more, something which you’re going to want to play very very loud! On Your High Horse follows the softer opening theme whilst once again launching into another riff fuelled melee of power, the guitars seriously taking the lead and making this into a track which is both powerful and aggressive, yet restrained and emotional at the same time. Quite possibly my personal favourite track from the album, this is another moment which you need to make sure you check out if you get a chance.
The Riddle almost fools you into thinking the band has gone soft as the track comes into being, opening with acoustic guitars and soft soothing vocals, this is another emotionally charged track, but don’t be fooled by the soft approach! Soon building into another funk fuelled track full of hammering guitar lines and pounding drums, this is a track which is built for the live scene, and one reason (if you still need one!) to get out there and see these guys. The vocals are the key here, sounding almost hypnotic at times as they’re sung out at you, backed up by the raucous guitar work and pounding rhythm section. Speak, The Answers In My Eyes and Goodbye and Goodnight are all tracks which continue the differing themes within the album, but it’s when we reach Until Tomorrow that everything is finally summed up and given some perspective as if to close off the album. As if to showcase everything they’ve got, this track acts as a final crescendo to proceedings and leaves no doubt in my mind that this is going to an exciting band to get out there and see. Fast, powerful and raw once again, this track closes the album but sets you up perfectly for the next one, leaving you wanting some more and wanting to know what they’re going to do to follow this, how they’re going to match the level they’ve already achieved.
Symphony Cult have surprised me with this album, mainly because the album seems to jump from clean, to heavy and then back again, but it works. The sound created here is one which is powerful and heavy, yet also full of melody and harmonies which are going to keep you engaged and keep you listening meaning you’ll always want to hear what’s going to come next. The combination of different vocal styles matched with musical ability makes this something which is quite simply an album you need to hear, and a band which I can’t wait to get out there to see live!
To find out more about Symphony Cult for yourself, check out their Facebook page HERE.
