Search - Symphorce :: Phorceful Ahead

Why doesn't Andy sing in a POS tribute band instead?

Murat Batmaz | Istanbul, Turkey | 06/26/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Phorceful Ahead is the first Symphorce album I picked up after checking out Brainstorm and Ivanhoe with the same vocalist Andy B. Franck. Unfortunately much to my disappointment, I noticed that the lyrics on this album are quite 'similar' to those of Pain of Salvation's. Since the POS albums came out earlier than this one, it is obvious that Andy used some of Daniel Gildenlow's lyrics. Here's a little example:Symphorce - Phorcefulahead - "Slowdown" : (2002) "Some wear their bruises on their skin / others hide their scars deep within" and here are the lyrics of Pain of Salvation - TPE1 - "In the Flesh" : (2000) "Some wear their bruises on their skin
Others have their scars deep within". Coincidence? I think not. And another little example: Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element - "Idioglossia" : "For every time you froze me out / For every punch every shout"; and in the song "Morning on Earth" it goes like "This is what we can share - / This is all we can lose". Now check out the Symphorce lyrics 'written' by Andy B. Franck in "Nothing Left" : "Every time you froze me out / every punch, every shout / this is what we can share - / this is all we can share". They even kept the hyphen. Can you believe this? What's worse is when Andy was asked about these similarities he first claimed that he'd never heard POS before but upon realising there was no escaping he admitted having used their lyrics as a form of homage. Well how do you pay tribute to a band which you've never heard before? I am extremely disappointed that I supported this band by buying their album. I think their vocalist Andy B. Franck has completely ruined his reputation. He should at least have had the decency to thank POS in the liner notes and credit them for the lyrics or ask Daniel for his approval. Not go behind their back like this because this is really low!I will never ever buy another Symphorce album even though they're an okay band musically. It's just stupid using others'
ideas to 'create' your own form of art. If you don't believe me get the POS albums (The Perfect Element pt.1 and One Hour by the Concrete Lake) and Symphorce's Phorceful Ahead and see for yourself. I'm personally done with this band."

Phorceful Power!

MetalMarc | Grand Rapids, MI USA | 01/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This in my opinion is how power metal should be played. What a huge and heavy sound. The production is so fat yet crystal clear it will bring you to your knees. Possibly the best production I have ever heard. Not forgetting the songs they are very catchy, melodic, full of great riffs and solos. No happy or silly sounding choruses. The singer Andy B. Frank is simply one of the best out there today reminding me a lot of Zak Stevens (ex-Savatage) but I also hear a little Dirk Thurisch (Angel Dust) and Bruce Dickinson for good measure. He is also the frontman from another excellent band called Brainstorm who are also on the heavier more aggressive side of power metal. Musically Symphorce sounds like a combination of Brainstorm, Nevermore, Iced Earth, and Angel Dust. There is even a bit of an old Megadeth touch to boot. No wonder I like this band so much. After the somewhat forgetable opening track Symphorce delivers the goods with the rest of the album. Good song writing with modern and mature arrangements. If you are into very heavy/melodic power metal and top-quality musicianship this album is a must!"