Fallen Sanctuary – Malevolent Symmetry

Imagine an existence in a future environment where open-minded rebelliousness and the determination of one’s own path through life is not only frowned upon, but actually ceased. Behind this extraction of “self”, a power-hungry organization known as the Prometheus Group engages manipulative and methods rooted in genetic degeneration disguised as mankind’s scientifically forged salvation…a “cure” for what ails it, so to speak. That very concept of the masses controlled by the powers-that-be is the foundation of the latest (and second) full-length excursion from Indianapolis’ traditionally-minded, old school metal duo Fallen Sanctuary.

Brothers William and James Dezarn have over a decade of involvement in their history joining creative forces in the name of their art. Fallen Sanctuary’s sound combines the technicality heard in the work of power metal greats with the speed of thrash and the ferocity of death metal. Taking on all instrumental and vocal duties as well as recording and producing it all themselves in their own studio, the Dezarn brothers unleashed their highly praised debut full-length effort, Theories of Ruin, upon the world in 2005 and followed it up in 2007 with the Poison Dreams demo, opening the doors for their first skull-hammering concept album, Malevolent Symmetry.

With dynamic vocals, melodic solos and punishing percussion all flowing well over the brim, the duo have constructed a razor-sharp journey into a conceptual effort exploring an eerily ominous storyline that is equal parts thought-provoking and musically unflinching. Opening with the short instrumental, “Dark Defective Synergistic”, Malevolent Symmetry soon erupts into “The Fetid Kingdom” and introduces the listener to the idea of a future population brought to its knees by the scheming rulers of the land. “Prelude to Supremacy” (the album’s first single), “Blessed Afflicted of Man” and “Perjury of Thought” are all surely highlights, relentless in their force and the pristine production evident through the entirety of the whole. Closing number, “The Thrall Contagion” sets off on a slightly more somber note, weaving the conclusion of a story of the destruction of human individuality. With haunting vocals delivering quite the warning of man‘s lust for power, the track’s pacing switches moods and blisters ears with striking precision.

The end result is nine tracks, clocking in at just over forty minutes, of uncompromising traditional metal stylings reminiscent of bands like Canadian thrashers, Annihilator. Yet, with healthy doses of crushing percussion, a no-punches-pulled production and a grand vocal approach, Fallen Sanctuary have taken their sound to a whole new level here and fans of the old school way of doing things should embrace it!

www.myspace.com/fallensanctuary