We are living in extraordinary and historic times, yet the human spirit won’t break so easily. Over the last year, musicians have put out one amazing album after another, despite severe touring restrictions. Keeping this momentum going, Greek metal band SCAR OF THE SUN is getting ready to unleash their third studio effort, “Inertia.” The album is scheduled for release on May 14th, 2021, via Napalm Records.
Joining the fight against social injustice, SCAR OF THE SUN has merged relevant lyrics about the imbalance between the wealthy and the poor with the energy and intensity of modern metal. For instance, the “Quantum Leap Zero” trilogy deals with the political events that transpired in Greece in 2015. The end result is an album that is dynamic and very well paced, with great peaks and valleys that give it great flow and playability. Vocalist Terry Nikas does a great job switching between deep, harsh vocals and beautiful melodic cleans, with this contrast giving the album nuance, depth, and texture. At the same time, guitarists Alexi Charalampous and Greg Eleftheriou offer fierce riffs and well-crafted harmonies that complement Thanos Pappas’s loud and energetic drums. These are the main elements that make “Inertia” a well-rounded and muscular album.
First single released, “I Am the Circle,” is a groovy yet relentless downpour of heavy guitars, intense drumming, and dynamic vocals. The high-octane power and catchiness of the chorus elevate the song while the melodic mid-section tones things down a bit. This precise rise-and-fall movement of the song is echoed throughout the album, as some songs are heavy and aggressive while others are melodious and restrained. Instrumental intro “Hydrogen” gets things moving at a slower pace with an increase in energy that is picked up by the title track. Consequently, “Inertia” is a hard-hitting number that benefits from a thunderous rhythmic section and powerful vocals. The guitars add some melody to the fold here and there, especially during that blistering solo. The album is off to a great start and the rest of the tracks are just as terrific.
Among the more melody-oriented tracks on the album, “Quantum Leap Zero I: Torque Control,” “The Fallible Experiment,” and “Singularity Collapse” display not just catchy choruses and incredible melodic hooks but also enough space for Terry Nikas’ vocals to develop and soar above the music. His cleans add warmth and radiance to these songs balancing his harsher vocals, which in turn creates dynamism and vibrancy within the music. On the other side of the spectrum, “Quantum Leap Zero II: Transition to Turbulence” and closing track “Anastasis” are dark, heavy, and guitar-driven cuts. Terry Nikas’ gutturals are front and center while the furious drums offer a great headbanging rhythm. Acting like an interlude between the first and the second part of the album, “Oxygen” is an atmospheric and moody track that starts off quietly but builds up in tension and peaks with an intense guitar and vocal outburst. “Quantum Leap Zero III: Thrust” has some interesting backing keys that help the song disguise its heaviness in melodic soundscapes.
Showing consistency across the board, “Inertia” is one hell of a ride from the first note until the last, as SCAR OF THE SUN serves a slice of uplifting melodic metal that is infused with earworm melodies, nifty rhythms, and memorable guitar parts. And while the song structure may be a bit simple in some cases, a straight groove can balance that out and provide the musical swings that will work perfectly in a live setting. Ultimately, this sense of cadence and flow is the album’s strength. Besides, there is enough diversity within the tracks to make “Inertia” an engaging and/or headbanging sonic delight.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
1. Hydrogen
2. Inertia
3. I Am The Circle
4. Quantum Leap Zero I: Torque Control
5. Quantum Leap Zero II: Transition To Turbulence
6. Oxygen
7. The Fallible Experiment
8. Quantum Leap Zero III: Thrust
9. Singularity Collapse
10.Zenith To Minos
11.Anastasis
Lineup
Terry Nikas – vocals
Alexi Charalampous – guitars
Greg Eleftheriou – guitars
Panagiotis Gatsopoulos – bass
Thanos Pappas – drums
Label
Napalm Records