Cassandra Syndrome is a Maryland, USA based metal band made up of Irene Jericho , on lead vocals; Jen Tonon, on guitar and backing vocals; Jay Jericho on zendrum; Joe Cariola, on bass and backing vocals; and Chris Kackley, on lead guitar.
Satire X is the sophomore release for the band, after their critically acclaimed release of 2009, Of Patriots and Tyrants. "A reference to the 'bread and circuses' of first century Satirist Juvenal, Satire X combines poignant, socially conscious lyrics, exquisite vocal melodies and masterful riffs into a metal-based call to action"( http://www.cassandrasyndrome.com/index.html, 2011).
This is solid heavy metal music full of pounding drums and awesome guitars, surrounded with female vocals and screams. If you liked their last one I'm sure you'll like this one as well. For me it's a little same sounding with screaming instead of singing passionate lyrics. Personally, I desire more of the variety of sound delivered by others in the genre.
'No More Peace Forever' opens with spoken voice through a megaphone before Irene Jericho's vocals roar forward to claim the airspace, as thunderous drums, grinding heavy metal guitars, and bass support. Weaving and grinding guitars surround Irene's loud vocal cries. A response to all the war and destruction in the world today. The guitar solos are excellent and full of power. Irene's vocals are loud and full of passionate screaming.
Pounding heavy metal guitars and drums open 'Hell on Earth', before Irene's vocals join in this time singing not screaming.
'The Fool' opens slowly and quietly with bass and guitar before the grinding heavy guitars join in along with Irene's vocals as the sound rises. This track has more melody and rhythm than the previous tracks. Great guitar solos and heavy cool drums. Irene's vocal screams return.
'The Magnus' opens with a cool, heavy guitar riff before Irene joins in singing instead of screaming. Her singing becomes even clearer as the song progresses. The melody and rhythm pick up pace as the track continues.
'Shackles' is full of Irene's best vocals. The heavy guitar growls fill the soundscape as power drums and bass support well. Irene gives her vocals a full workout with high pitched screams and vocal ladder exercises as the music stops and starts at will.
'Poison Rain' is full of straight ahead heavy guitar, bass and drums with Irene screaming loudly, punctuating the lifting sound of the overall production. The guitars and drums are fantastic.
Irene's screaming vocals open 'The Priestess', before the heavy grinding guitars and drums return. This song has more of the influence of legendary heavy metal bands like Black Sabbath, before Irene joins in with female vocals and screaming. There is some fantastic guitar solo in-between her screams.
On 'What You Wanted', Irene is back to singing, supported this time with cool keys and bass. Then some power chords roar forward and Irene's vocals increase to screams in order to match the power of the chords and drums. She hits some incredible soprano high notes throughout this album, and some of the highest on this song. The guitar solos are again amazing towards the end of this, the longest track on the album.
'The Iron Cross' opens with cool guitar chords and Irene slowly building momentum with her 'oohs', before the flood gates open and power guitar, bass and drums return. Irene continues singing, until more of the 'oohs' return.
'Pestilence' opens again quietly with Irene softly delivering the vocals. The drums and guitar sound quieter in support of Irene's more deliberate vocal delivery. More excellent guitar soloing to close this album.
Track Listing
- No More Peace Forever
- Hell on Earth
- The Fool
- The Magnus
- Shackles
- Poison Rain
- The Priestess
- What You Wanted
- The Iron Cross
- Pestilence
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