Scars on Broadway - Scars on Broadway Album Review

Scars On Broadway

Album Review

Scars On Broadway's debut is awesome. Emerging from the ashes of System Of A Down, Daron Malakian and John Dolmayan has successfully jumped back into the musical limelight with Scars On Broadway's self titled debut album.

The album features a variety of styles, even at times sounding indie-esque. The band hasn't attempted to step away from System Of a Down's political sound, in fact they've actually enhanced it. 'Chemicals' features a ferociously addictive chorus, laced in powerful and obscene lyrics:

While I piss on your face and you suck on my c*ck

Is just an example of their broad musical stylings. The bands first single 'They Say' is filled with political angst and is one of the more straightforward songs on the album. Opening with a distorted guitar riff, it proceeds to attack 'The world and all it's trend' in a typically powerful song from the band. The difference between Daron and John's new project is it's a lot more lyrically focused, whereas their previous work was a louder more rough sounding metal band. Scars On Broadway still retain their metal sound through their guitar and drum sounds, however they sound much better opting for pure singing instead of the 'screamo' sound often associated with modern metal. 'Stoner Hate' is a fast paced song that sounds like something you've known for a long time, whilst other tracks like 'Insane' follow a slower and more melodic path. 'Kill Each Other/Live Forever' is another expression of the bands political views. One of the softer sounding tracks; it's focused around human behaviour and well, killing each other basically. The song is loaded with a powerfully fast chorus that implants its way into your head instantaneously, as does the majority of the fifteen song album.

Scars On Broadway's debut album is a fantastic album. It offers a massive variation in sound, style and tempo throughout, with each song fitting perfectly into the album. The band has songs that will suit all rock fans, whilst they'll also have appeal to their former fans as they stuck to their previous political roots. Daron Malakian's unique sounding voice offers the rock genre some much needed variety, and the band's debut single is an early example of what they can achieve. A truly awesome debut cd, couldn't fault it whatsoever.

Tom Crowther