On Friday, May 1st, 2020, Auckland, NZ Progressive Heavy Alternative/Alternative Metal group City of Souls released their long-awaited titled debut album titled Synæsthesia (stylized as SYNÆSTHESIA on their Bandcamp). Before their debut, they released seven singles to promote the album with the first two dating back to 2015: “Sleep”, in March, and “Water” in November. Also, in August 2016 they released “Long Gone”. Additionally, in 2019 they released “Ferryman” in October and their cover of Joy Division's “Love Will Tear Us Apart” in December. Lastly, in 2020 they released their final single “Cruelty” in April.
The opening track, “Lifeblood” is an excellent proggy heavy alternative opener that is one of the less metallic tracks of the album with very catchy verses and choruses, and melancholic lyrics. The second track “Ferryman” is my favorite song on the album which is an excellent proggy alternative metal/heavy alternative track with powerful riffing, thunderous chugging, plus amazing choruses and verses, and melodic vocals that remind me of some of the greatest aspects of Fair to Midland. The third track, “Whispers”, is also a proggy heavy alternative/alternative metal track that may be the catchiest song on the entire album that features an amazing melodic chorus that will easily get stuck in your head for the rest of the day, and it reminds me of Hurt in the best way possible. The fourth track, “Cruelty,” is another song that follows the musical style of their second track but structurally it sounds like a more updated and modern version of Themata by Karnivool, specifically “Shutterspeed.” The fifth track, “Shimmer” is an incredibly good track that also reminds me of the second track musically, with the chugging and the atmospheric bits together. The sixth track, “Wolf,” is an excellent song that features their signature chugging with amazing lyrics, excellent verses, and catchy choruses. The seventh track, “White Ghost” is another favorite of mine as I am shocked that it was not released as a single. It is the only song on the album that I could say features no metal elements as it is a great heavy progressive alternative rock anthem with an excellent atmosphere and melodic vocals.
Their eighth track “Sleep” is a great song that continues the signature atmospheric proggy alternative metal/heavy alternative sound that they have been known for. The ninth track “Water” may be one of their more hook-centric songs, but it is my least favorite track on the album. It is not a bad track by any means, it is just not that interesting all around, especially by City of Souls’ standards. The tenth track “Long Gone” is lyrically, a very melancholic progressive heavy alternative song with beautiful melodies and atmosphere. The eleventh track “Tying Tongues” is another lyrically moody track that features also nice melodies. The twelfth track “Brushstrokes” is a great prog and metallic leaning, heavy alternative track, which has an atmosphere that reminds me of the 2000s-era of the heavier Alternative Rock supergroup A Perfect Circle. The thirteenth track “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (stylized as “L | W | T | U | A” on their Bandcamp), is an outstanding cover from the English Post-Punk legends and pioneers, Joy Division. While it retains the overall dread and melancholy of the original, they put their signature Proggy Alternative Metal/Heavy Alternative spin on the track, and it is executed perfectly. The fourteenth track, “Mountain,” is an amazing song that has a lyrically excellent chorus that will really make the listener engaged. The fifteenth track, “Iron Heart,” is a very pretty song with nice verses and memorable choruses. The self-titled closer is an excellent fully instrumental track that features guitarist Richie Allan (who is a part of the Auckland NZ, Progressive Metal/Djent band Heavy Metal Ninjas).
Overview: This album is a 9.5/10 or 4.75/5, due to a combination of City of Souls’ impressive riffs and chugs, soaring vocal range and melodies, and lastly their moody and melancholic lyrics.
Track List:
Lifeblood - 4:37
Ferryman - 4:44
Whispers - 3:47
Cruelty - 3:55
Shimmer - 4:46
Wolf - 3:46
White Ghost - 4:35
Sleep - 4:13
Water - 4:17
Long Gone - 4:25
Tying Tongues - 4:30
Brushstrokes - 4:00
Love Will Tear Us Apart - 4:02
Mountain - 4:47
Iron Heart - 3:27
Synæsthesia (feat. Richie Allen) - 4:43
Total Length: 68:34
Favorite Tracks: “Lifeblood,” “Ferryman,” “Whispers,” “White Ghost,” “Brushstrokes,” “Love Will Tear Us Apart,” and “Mountain”
Least Favorite Tracks: “Water”
Recommended For: Fans of Artsy or Proggy Alternative Metal/Heavy Alternative bands in general, especially Hurt, Fair to Midland, Karnivool, and The Butterfly Effect.
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