Dysrider: Bury the Omen

I tend to go back and forth with symphonic metal bands. In general, I like the combination of orchestral grandeur and extreme metal vocals, guitars, and drums. Some of the best known bands—Nightwish, Epica, Within Temptation, Leaves' Eyes, and others—are wildly popular and often play for huge audiences over much of the world. At times, though, the symphonic style feels a bit warmed over, as if it's reached a temporary limit of interest and excitement.

I won't suggest that Dysrider's album reinvents the genre, but the music is often fresh and stylish in ways that give it an edge over the competition. The best thing about this album is that it ably achieves a strong balance of darker and lighter elements without sacrificing the heaviness that makes the music heavy metal. The band also features the twin talents of Joelle, not only an accomplished singer, but also a very good cello player. There are times when her cello playing adds welcome layers of depth to the whole thing. It also creates memorable and exciting melodies.

On this album, things work together to create something larger than the collective efforts of the band members. This band especially does well to balance all the elements of the music—the guitars, the cello, the vocals, the broader symphonic elements—into something that is heavy and attractive at the same time. I especially liked the moments when the music turned to old-school guitar solos and harmonies. "Story of Power" features some of the best playing in this respect but it is by no means the only track that features the guitar so prominently. There's something endlessly appealing (to me at least) about the shredding style of playing, especially when it's done with two guitarists playing harmonies. Joelle's voice, as I mentioned, is strong and clear. It is often balanced with Jonathan's grunts and growls in ways that I enjoyed. Instead of doing the alternating "beauty and the beast" thing, this band tries to blend the clean and dirty in ways that almost make them harmonize.

As I mentioned above, this album doesn't reinvent the genre, but it nevertheless gives it a much needed shot in the arm. Fans of symphonic metal should find this album to be a bit more ambitious than the usual fare. Check out "Embers Reflection" for a good example of what this album is doing.

I should also mention that Dysrider has released two albums under the name Trophallaxy. I don't know what prompted the change in name, but fans of Trophallaxy will probably want to discover what this band is doing under it's new name.

Track Listing:
1. Emergence
2. Against Your Hold
3. Bury the Omen
4. Time of Decay
5. Witness Our Fall
6. The Reckoning
7. Story of Power
8. Blind Avengers
9. Bliss in Darkness
10. Embers Reflection.

Added: April 28th 2015
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 2022
Language: english

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