New Music Review: SYMBOLIC ‘5Ive’

Rating: 9 / 10 Stars

SYMBOLIC is: Scott Bruce (vocals), Steve Potts (guitars), Bobby Fernandez (bass), Steven Elias (drums), and
Louie Borja (guitars)

REVIEW – San Diego based thrash gods released their newest studio album this past May and let me tell you it’s a doozie! Recorded at Signature sound and Rarefied recording in San Diego, 5IVE represents all that is fanfuckingtastical in the current crop of Thrash Metal. I am talking REAL Thrash, not over produced, cookie cutter “suitable for radio play” TRASH thrash. If you miss the days of old when the “Big Four of Thrash” reined the Metal scene, then you are in for one hell of a treat! I instantly knew why SYMBOLIC was signed to EMP, no one knows this music better than Dave Ellefson. (I stand by this statement; you got a problem with it?) About a minute into the first track, I knew SYMBOLIC had a secret weapon, although recorded and mastered digitally, the track oozed of retro analog recording. To the ears of the Millennial Metal fans, this probably is unpleasing, to me it is PURE HEAVEN. I usually don’t gush about singular Engineers on albums, but holyfuckballs, the mastering engineer on this is beyond talented. Daniel Castleman is an independent engineer that has the Midas touch. It has been eons since I have heard new Thrash with such unbridled purity (yes, that is possible). Overall, I gotta tell ya, even if you don’t like Thrash, if you are a fan of talent and any kind of metal music, you will dig this album. How can I say that with 100% certainty? Because I am the Skullgurl, and if there is one thing I know, it’s metal music. If you need a little more convincing, read on, and I will give you more selling points on why you need to GET THIS ALBUM!

Selling point #1- Vocalist Scott Bruce. – I am pretty sure Ronnie James Dio came back as a ghost and has possessed this dude, (yes I am well aware that DIO was not considered Thrash, but listen to Scott Bruce on track # 6 Tower of Babel, and tell me I am wrong).

Selling point #2-Honestly, why do I need to give you any other selling points after selling point #1? But I digress, point #2-Song structure-Back in the day when Thrash Metal was the only metal up and coming 12 years olds in metal bands wanted to mimic, song structure mattered. A true Thrash song had certain components it had to contain in order to please the throngs of Thrash purists. The band’s songs must include but not limited to, shredding guitars, insane beyond light speed drumming, and thought evoking lyrics. Track #10 “Chameleon” and track # 2 “Alternative Breed” are proof positive that this band’s song writing game is strong.

Selling point #3- Signed to Dave Ellefson’s label- Yes, I realize I mentioned this before, but I feel that if you need more than 2 selling points to check this band out, telling you that one of the GRAND POOBAHS of Metal signed these guys to his label should seal the deal.

Selling point #4-Really? You need a selling point #4? Maybe you missed where I wrote that the singer of SYMBOLIC has the vocal prowess of Dio. Did I mention that guitarists Steve Potts and Louie Borja, must have come out of the womb shredding on a 6 string? Oh I know, I forgot to mention that drummer Steve Elias and bassist Bobby Fernandez have taped into the elusive synchronicity that all bands wish their rythym section had!

Selling point #5- I, the Skullgurl, said this band is AMAZEBALLS. Frankly, that is really all I should have had to list as a selling point. You know me, my metal miscreants, I would NEVER steer you wrong.

Alright, we are done here, so get up off yer asses and BE THE METAL! To make that task easier I have included all the links you may need to bring the baddassedness of SYMBOLIC into your existence.