Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Siren's Cry - Scattered Horizons (2013)


This has been a very good year for female fronted metal, with bands such as Elessar, Tyranny of Hours and Sirenia leading the way. Then out of the shadows steps another symphonic metal band with a unique twist; Siren’s Cry. Siren’s Cry sounds like a lovechild between Symphony X and Epica. Their album “scattered Horizons” combines progressive metal elements with symphonic elements, all wrapped up with great female vocals. For a first album, it’s really impressive. It sounds like a major label release and is very tightly produced. Siren’s Cry may have found a winning combination of styles that make them stand out above most bands. I don’t know too much about the band, but I do know they’re excellent.

“S3V3N” sounds like it could be a Symphony X track, but then Katie Joanne starts singing and all is changed. I don’t think I’ve heard a band quite like this before. It takes the best elements of female fronted symphonic metal and fuses it with progressive precision. Every single instrument is perfectly utilized and balanced. It sounds like they’ve been making albums for years. “Oratory & Sins” keeps the flow going and it’s another great song. The chorus is very full sounding and the keyboard makes a nice addition to all of the layers that are going on. “Elegy of R’lyeh” starts off a little slow but before it feels like it isn’t going anywhere, it gets interesting. The chorus, for one, is one of the best on the album and the solo sounds like it belongs on Symphony X’s “The Divine Wings of Tragedy.” “Draconian Spectrum” is a little heavier than previous tracks and it too has a great choir sound and an even better solo. Phillip Porter is one of the best guitarists I’ve heard in a long time. His songwriting and tone is incredible. Hopefully he will get the recognition he deserves. “Cold Amber & Scalding Tears” is a pleasant ballad that ignites the senses. It’s epic, beautiful and engrossing. “Sahara Sagas” is the longest track on the album and is divided into five parts. It’s also their most ambitious song. Its use of Middle Eastern sounds works so well, and helps create a picture of a desert setting. “Serpents of War” is another outstanding track that cannot go unnoticed. The chorus is the absolute best on the album and shows that Siren’s Cry is a master at creating huge sounding vocal parts. “Controversial Mind” closes the album and is the absolute best on the album. It’s their most technical and their most focused. The guitar solo is completely mind-blowing. It seems they truly saved their best for last. If the next album sounds like this, they might just be the next big thing.

So there you have it. Another fantastic symphonic metal band that came out of absolutely nowhere and they deliver in spades. Their sound is similar to Symphony X but they are not a rip off. They have their own sound and songwriting skills. Katie Joanne’s voice really makes Siren’s Cry unique and memorable. This isn’t some half assed album that will get lost in the flood of other metal. Every instrument is planned out and played with great care. “Scattered Horizons” is the real deal and this band has incredible talent. “Controversial Mind" is without a doubt one of the best metal songs I’ve heard this year. For fans of progressive or symphonic metal, this is an absolute must listen.

9.5/10




Official Site -  www.sirenscry.com

Facebook -  www.facebook.com/sirenscryband

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