SCARS OF TOMORROW — The Horror of Realization (review)

SCARS OF TOMORROW — The Horror of Realization album cover Album · 2005 · Metalcore Buy this album from MMA partners
2.5/5 ·
Vim Fuego
At first, much of Scars Of Tomorrow's `The Horror Of Realization' seems like nothing more than bog standard metalcore, inasmuch that it is basically Machine Head on steroids, similar to any one of hundreds of albums out there. It could easily be mistaken for Killswitch Engage, Avenged Sevenfold, Lamb of God, or any number of other derivative bands.

This album has all the genre standards: metal-like guitars, solid but not flashy percussion, contrasting dual voiced vocals, staccato riffs, little in the way of musical embellishment like solos or drum fills and the ever present angst-drenched lyrics. In short, why would you bother, because you've heard it all before? Well, to listen to the first few tracks alone, you shouldn't. OK, so perhaps genre trainspotters might appreciate it but most listeners will most likely start to lose interest by the end of the third song "Murderers And Madmen".

But first impressions can be deceiving. Fourth track "SSNova" comes along and the whole mood of the album immediately changes. Taking a more minimalist approach, it starts with an acoustic intro and booming floor toms, adds Neurosis-like shrieked vocals and is layered with bass and guitar effects before fading to a breezy soundscape. Sure, the next track "The Hidden Grudge" is back to the hard-headed bludgeon, but guest vocals from Alex Varkatzas offers a vocal trade off and some variation in the guitar effects makes a change from out and out brutality. It segues straight into "The Marks Of Time", which seems like part two of the same song.

And the variety continues. "The Marks Of Time" has genuine shouted Hardcore counter-vocals. "4Smith" is an exploration of feedback and a gentle, tripped-out rhythm. "The Struggle" features melodic guitars and a Metal blast beat, while album closer "Onthe15" is an almost ambient instrumental, eventually drifting off to nothingness.

While some of the tracks of `The Horror Of Realization' are far from standard metalcore, the main focus is still on brutality. The experimentation here may be a little more challenging than what most fans of the genre are used to but it sets Scars Of Tomorrow apart from much of the crowd. The sound may not be as far left field as the likes of Candiria or Shai Hulud, but Scars Of Tomorrow are more easily digested. Such experimentation and implementation of new sounds and influences may just be the answer to metalcore's stagnation.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Hin helga kvöl Atmospheric Sludge Metal
SÓLSTAFIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Cycles of Suffering Black Metal
BURIAL OATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Suns of Perdition - Chapter IV: To Shadow Zion Black Metal
PANZERFAUST
Buy this album from MMA partners
Facilis Descensus Averno Death Metal
SAEVUS FINIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Merciless Crossover Thrash
BODY COUNT
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

DAWN OF REVENGE - Sanctuary [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Farewell [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Curtain of Death - [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Vengeance [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - I Need You [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed