Symphony In Peril

Like it or not, this is the follow up album I’ve been waiting for since Zao’s Splinter Shards the Birth of Separation shook up Christian hard music. Sure, the vocalist happens to be the same guy, but S.I.P.’s last effort was nowhere near this. It’s as if the band has settled into maturity; being able to see a whole picture of each song. A few tracks are transitional, but the rest stand alone really well. Time changes aren’t used to create chaos, but, used with Shawn’s altering pitch, help blend together ideas. All of the sick breakdowns never feel cliché. The metal is really solid and fast paced. In fact, a few parts bring thick, metal groove. Yes, groove. And it’s hard to resist enjoying. Also, we can thank God they’ve stayed away from airy, feminine male singing that has littered every hard album in the past two years. Lyrically, the songs are pieces; fragments caught in the middle of some happenstance or current emotion. We’re thrown directly into the middle of an ongoing situation with no clear cut end. So, like all good art should encourage us to do, we piece it together ourselves. Ah, so what’s my conclusion? This is a surprising delight. [Facedown]

This review was printed in HM Magazine's Mar/Apr Issue #112. To get that issue, with many other reviews, you can order it online or find it at your local newsstand on or after February 25, 2005.

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Comments

By agacinco

sick breakdowns hehe i understand that :)

By kristen

yeah this album is very good. i would def reccomend it.

By Darren Tindell

I agree. This has been the best release of 2005, so far. S.I.P. is simply amazing.

By Andrew

The Whore's Trophy was a major improvement on their first CD. I think they are a amazing band that should be recognized and pulled from the shadows. If they did more shows, I'm sure they would gain the respect they deserve.

By Reid Otto

This album is refreshing, amazing and just keeps blowing you away. The breakdowns arent boring or cliche at all. The whole album is a party. 2-step parts are more abundant than the first album...which is sweet. not simple either. Too many bands just have 2-step parts followed by breakdowns. SO far...best release on facedown ever. SIP does metalcore right.

By jastr

Whats the story behind the name of the album?

By Evan

If I remember correctly, its based on a quote from Revelation 17, a woman is riding on some creature with a cup with the blood of the saints in it. Anyways, from what I've heard of it so far, its pretty good. I'd prefer a little more melody at times (a-la As I Lay Dying), but its still done well.

By Cole Bratcher

I was super stoked about this album, when I got it I was dissapointed only for the first few measures. The beginning of the first song sounds like I've heard it before, bad way to begin, but the rest of the album is fantistico! Thumbs up to SIP! I hope you guys tour in washington soon!

By .Tony.T.

A great metalcore album, a great christian album, a great album period. I would reccomend Symphony in Peril over Zao, Unearth, or Norma Jean anyday.

By Matthew Bacchus

I think this CD rocks! I'm starting to get into this metal rock and I love it. Laters.

By Doug VanPelt

you can call it: "creating chaos" or you can call it trainwrecking riffs togther for 4 minutes.

By zach bohannon

very good album, but no Christian album this year is going to match Sinai Beach or As I Lay Dying...