Symphony in Peril Lost Memoirs and Faded Pictures
Facedown Records 2003
By Jason Jordan
This is Shawn Jonas first major output since helming the vocals on Zaos The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation. That was released in 1997. Enter chaotic, hardcore band Symphony in Peril. Shawns vocals have improved tremendously since his last work. Fans of Norma Jean and Coalesce rejoice, because you have a new band to listen to.
First, the musicians on the album are all virtually unknown, save Jonas. He is seemingly the leader here, having toiled in the underground scene for quite a while. Nevertheless, the performances within are impressive. The band doesnt mince words when they begin the album with Shadow Over a Bleeding Heart. The aforementioned entirely characterizes the content of the album; some parts of this particular song are kinda confusing. I found that it actually took a lot of focus to concentrate on the unwieldy sections, though each track features at least one fantastic breakdown that easily grabs the listener. Unfortunately, however, the first song is essentially an exercise in the cut and paste motif that frequents the genre. Letting Go Would be an End does manage to get it right nonetheless. It goes from soft to heavy to soft then, at about the three-minute mark, it becomes grippingly melodious. Similar elements can be found in The Quotidian Succession, Sifting Through These Ashes, and Lament.
All in all, Lost Memoirs and Faded Pictures is a mildly enjoyable listen that can be summed up with a few choice words such as: chaotic, ferocious, vivacious, or whichever you prefer. Even so, Symphony in Perils latest wont eradicate high-profile competition like The Dillinger Escape Plan or Narcissus. But, maybe their upcoming sophomore album, entitled The Whores Trophy, will relay improvement.
7/10
Official Symphony in Peril website
Official Facedown Records website
Facedown Records 2003
By Jason Jordan
This is Shawn Jonas first major output since helming the vocals on Zaos The Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation. That was released in 1997. Enter chaotic, hardcore band Symphony in Peril. Shawns vocals have improved tremendously since his last work. Fans of Norma Jean and Coalesce rejoice, because you have a new band to listen to.
First, the musicians on the album are all virtually unknown, save Jonas. He is seemingly the leader here, having toiled in the underground scene for quite a while. Nevertheless, the performances within are impressive. The band doesnt mince words when they begin the album with Shadow Over a Bleeding Heart. The aforementioned entirely characterizes the content of the album; some parts of this particular song are kinda confusing. I found that it actually took a lot of focus to concentrate on the unwieldy sections, though each track features at least one fantastic breakdown that easily grabs the listener. Unfortunately, however, the first song is essentially an exercise in the cut and paste motif that frequents the genre. Letting Go Would be an End does manage to get it right nonetheless. It goes from soft to heavy to soft then, at about the three-minute mark, it becomes grippingly melodious. Similar elements can be found in The Quotidian Succession, Sifting Through These Ashes, and Lament.
All in all, Lost Memoirs and Faded Pictures is a mildly enjoyable listen that can be summed up with a few choice words such as: chaotic, ferocious, vivacious, or whichever you prefer. Even so, Symphony in Perils latest wont eradicate high-profile competition like The Dillinger Escape Plan or Narcissus. But, maybe their upcoming sophomore album, entitled The Whores Trophy, will relay improvement.
7/10
Official Symphony in Peril website
Official Facedown Records website
