Become Death

Metal Blade

Germany’s premiere thrash metal outfit Symphorce have returned to the frontlines with their sixth full length studio album. Become Death is another monster release that further ventures into the realms of traditional thrash and I believe that they may have finally achieved the sound they have been pursuing. Unfortunately there are a few places where their delivery isn’t quite as superior as their last effort, 2005’s Godspeed. In all honesty, I wasn’t as captivated by this latest installment and feel that they may have taken some of their influences and experimentalism a bit too far. This is not to say that Become Death isn’t a strong release by any stretch of the imagination. The songs are solid and tend to hold their own, but the album as a whole doesn’t quite pack the punch of the band’s previous work.

While there are no doubt some truly stellar tracks presented here, frontman Andy B. Franck definitely comes across as less melodic in places, and although I know that this is intentional I can’t help but feel that with such a powerful voice it’s a shame to let it go to waste as his dynamics on prior efforts have been much more commanding. The out of place synthesizer of “Condemned” thankfully doesn’t dictate the entire listening experience and actually the CD seems to pick up momentum as it progresses. I did fully appreciate Franck’s lower register vocals on such tracks as ”Inside The Cast” and “No Final Words To Say”, which take on a very gothic feel in nature. “Ancient Prophecies” is an excellent piece that really hits home with the band’s bay area thrash influence as does “Lost But Not Found”, and the opening track, “Darkness Fills The Sky”, is a brutal attack that even borders on the death metal vocal style in segment.

As with many albums, this is one that tends to grow on you after a few spins and in spite of a couple of the weaker songs, the overall album is a well-crafted achievement. Thanks to the driving force of guitarist Cedric “Cede” Dupont, Become Death is an acceptable new chapter in the band’s career. I realize that it is never an easy thing to write and record an album that will supersede past accomplishments, but Become Death is definitely a worth while attempt and fans of the band are sure to embrace it for all that it is.

-Priest