Sympathy Ends
San Jose, California, United States | INDIE
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Sympathy Ends Cd review
Sympathy Ends is a band that has gotten around quite a bit since their inception in 2006, but not without adversity. They have gone through several member changes including a guitarist, and more recently a new drummer and vocalist. Their third and latest offering definitively does not disappoint, and the member changes are very evident in their sound. Guitarists Johnny Neves and Alvin Rideau’s chops are top notch, with plenty of sweeps and chugs effortlessly transitioning between hardcore and death metal influences, though never coming off as “too much“. New drummer as of 2009, Trevor Smith has added a whole new dimension to their sound by integrating different time changes, without letting the band get out of the pocket. I’m most impressed with vocalist Paul Anderson, however, whose enormous range and versatility are on full display throughout the EP. His vocal timing- knowing when to switch between guttural growls and haunting clean vocals- are what grant this CD a quality many thrash metal/hardcore groups don’t have; it’s catchy as hell without losing the hard edge. Sympathy Ends is a cohesive group of musicians able to shape an incredible range of sounds. The recording, mix, and mastering are clean and balanced as well. My only gripe is the lack of lyrics on the sleeve (2 songs are listed on their website). That being said, this is definitely a CD worth checking out if you’re ready to hear some of what metal is and should be evolving towards.
-Todd Graham
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Discography
Bound by Steel Single - Released July 1st 2010
Warrior and Maiden Single - Released July 1st 2010
Sympathy Ends EP - Released August 7th 2010
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Bio
Formed in early 2006, Sympathy Ends consisted of 6 musicians from East Side San Jose, Ca. After making a name for themselves in their local scene, they began branching out into other areas where they've continuously left their mark on the underground Metal and Hardcore scenes. In late 2006, they recorded their first self-titled EP ("A Hardcore Classic," -Nor-Cal Hardcore Magazine) at Castle Ultimate Studios with producer Zack Ohren (Light This City, All Shall Perish, Embrace The End) and was independently released November 2006 . After selling out of each copy and playing consistent show after show, one of the EP's fell into the hands and caught the attention of a California based Indie Label, Dead Royalty Records in 2007. Following the re-release of the EP under the label, the track "Scent Of Regret" was chosen for their first single due to it's widely known crowd popularity. After furthering a sound all their own and the continuous show playing, the band caught the eye of another label in 2008, Pitch Black Records. With an offer too good to refuse and a chance to broaden out into other scene genres, they gladly accepted in March 2008. Later that year the band decided it was time to release original guitarist, Anthony Reyes, due to creative differences. They later recruited Alvin Rideau (former lead guitarist of Red Fall and former vocalist of Defining Samsara) and quickly began writting a new EP which would come to be known as "Architects of Fate". Realizing the talent they brought in, they decided to change up their style, incorporating more clean vocally driven choruses, and their influences of Melodic DeathMetal and Swedish/American Thrash with overtones of Electronica. All while still remaining true to their roots of what helped shape them and make a name for themselves, Hardcore. Soon after the A.O.F. West Coast Tour, the band parted ways with both vocalist Jonny "Janey" Trevino and longtime original drummer Jaqualin Dominguez in mid 2009. The band and each former member still all remain friends on a personal level but due to such drastic changes in their line up, the band was forced to postpone their CD release and upcoming tours. Throughout this dillemma they still kept writing, even after being unsure of what was to come for the four remaining members, and were able to keep their contracts with Pitch Black. (Also, due to the fact of the major line up changes that had occurred, both Sympathy Ends and their label decided to not release the mastered copies of the Architects.. album, instead choosing to completely start over fresh.) After holding tryouts for vocals, the band decided to push for finding a new drummer to complete their musical lineup, first bringing in Trevor Smith (ex drummer for He Wants My Blood.) After one tryout and a jam session, the band knew he was a fit and joined SE in September 2009. Several months after Trevor's arrival, and the continuous tryouts after tryouts, the band finally decided on vocalist Paul Anderson (ex vocalist of The Fortune Teller.) After hearing his unique scream/singing style that he was able to perform and switch back to back live, SE knew they'd found their new front man. Now back to their original 6 piece outfit, the band resigned under their old management Nemesis Records (formerly Pitch Black Records) and is scheduled to release a new EP in 2010 and set to start touring again by mid year as well.
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