Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Symphorce - Phorceful Ahead - reviewed by: EC

Track Listing1. Speak my mind 2. Unbroken 3. Slow down 4. Longing home 5. Moving in Circles 6. Falling through again 7. Your Blood, my Soul 8. Rage of Violence 9. Touched and Infected 10. Nothin’ left

The German prog-power group has returned with their third release. After rather successful releases of Truth To Promises (1999) and Sinctuary (2000), Symphorce have delved into their creative minds and delivered their most mature work to date.

With Phorceful Ahead, their debut for new label Metal Blade, the band brings a more downtuned heaviness to the band's wide range of metal influences, ranging from nu-metal groove to power and prog metal. I have always loved Andy B. Franck's vocal range, sounding like a cross between Carl Albert and Bruce Dickinson, and this album really shows off Andy's great voice.

Phorceful Ahead reminds me of Brainstorm at times, which is the other band that singer Franck sings for. With tracks like Unbroken and Falling Through Again, the material sounds like something left off of the last Brainstorm record-- heavy and powerful with plenty of high octane energy. Other tracks show off the progressive side of the Germans, like Rage Of Violence and Moving In Circles.

This is a record that you really need to use your search option. The tracks differ in intensity depending on your mood. The tracks that are progressive are really PROGRESSIVE and the tracks that lean to the power metal side are really heavy in your face groovers. If you like less chorus based bands like Control Denied and Mystic Force, then this third album from Symphorce is a good starting point. If you like the faster paced numbers, then definitely check out Brainstorm for your heavy addiction.

--EC 03.19.03