SCARSICK

This is true progressive metal. It seems that the true meaning of the word has been forgotten by many fans of progressive music. It means to progress, try something new and push boundaries. This is exactly what PoS have done hear.

Many of their fans were expecting to hear classic PoS in the build up to this album, a rehash of old ideas. I believe that PoS have taken the perfect direction for this album, making a truely modern progressive album. With influences from rap, nu-metal, pop, disco and screamo Daniel was able to take what is normally pretty ordinary music and transform it into brilliant progressive music. This modern approach is severly lacking in alot of progressive music which is simply not progressing any more.

Admittidly, it did take me a while to get into this album. As with many of their other fans I was expecting to hear something I had heard before, scared of any change. The change was certainly a shock. Rapping in Spitfall and Scissor Sisters-like beats in Disco Queen are certainly a departure but once I had grown accustomed to this new sound I really began to enjoy it. Soon I considered it PoS's most consistent effort with EVERY song contributing strongly to the album.

Production has improved as would be expected as it has a similar sound to BE apart from the guitars which sound better than they ever have. Daniels vocals are a strong feature, not displaying his range but rather his versatility, from rap to screaming to whiny falsetto.

I am actually quite shocked to read the extent of Scarsick bashing there is on the net. I would have expected more of their fans to except and enjoy innovation rather than bash anything new.

Now to songs. 1) Scarsick 7.5/10 - Initially one of my least favourite songs, I grew to like the unusual harmonies. The riffs absolutely rock. 2) Spitfall 8/10 - This one is unusal. I have to say Daniel is a damn good rapper. Despite not being a fan of most music that features rapping this song rocks. It grooves, sounds angry and has a very un-PoS chorus which is damn catchy. 3) Cribcaged 7/10 - This is a very beautiful song. I do find it a little repetitive but it has some very cool Muse-like chords in it. 4) America 6/10 - There is nothing wrong with this song, it is just my leasy fav on the album. Its a bit too novelty to be taken seriously but I think thats the whole point of the song. 5) Disco Queen 9/10 - Absolutely briliant! A rapid departure but pure genius. It is very cleverly written and I had all my non-PoS fans dancing along. There is nothing wrong with a catchy song as long as it sounds damn cool. 6) Kingdom Of Loss 8/10 - I love the King of Loss quotes in the guitar solo! A very intense, beautiful song that looks like it may be refering to TPE. 7) Mrs. Modern Mother Mary 10/10 - I love this song. The riff and the vocals are bloody cool and it builds up to an amazing climax. My favourite! 8) Idiocracy 9.5/10 - From heavy riffs to soft melodic flamenco guitar, this song has it all. This is very PoS 9) Flame To The Moth 9/10 - Daniel screaming? This is by far the most brutal I have heard his vocals get. This sounds alot like early PoS. A great chorus 10) Enter Rain 9.5/10 - A classic PoS epic. Despite running over the same riffs for most of the song, it has a beautiful sound with amazing soft harmonies in the middle. My only complaint is that it fades out too quickly.

Overall this is an amazing album with every song being strong and memorable. I am a diehard PoS fan and they have really topped my charts with this effort. It is so different but it has an air of genius around it that will hopefully be appreciated in years to come.