What a way to thunder into 2004. I received this album somewhere around Christmas and ever since I have a very hard time getting this masterpiece out of my head (or out of my CD-player for that matter). The title Twice Second is hardly suitable for an album that beats the crap out of most of its competition. While Symphorce’s previous release. phorcefulAhead managed to impress me, they have undergone some major progress since that release. The songwriting seems to be of a whole different level, with an immense amount of variety within the songs, as well as throughout the whole album. Not only that, this time power becomes more of a sideshow as melody takes over. Don’t get me wrong, Twice Second is still a very powerful album. It’s just that the melodies are so excellent that they draw all the attention to them.

And then there is Andy B. Franck. Words cannot describe the vocals of this man. This is the third release in roughly a year that features Andy and this man never fails to impress me. He is quickly becoming the number one metal vocalist in Germany because he simply has it all: reach, power and emotion. And if you thought he did a good job on Brainstorm’s latest release, you should hear him sing his lungs out on this album because it isn’t any less impressing. On the contrary. If Andy can deal with two bands at the same time, then I say let him because someone with such talent should be enjoyed as much as possible.

While power has become a sideshow, Symphorce nevertheless manage to put the pain on us a couple of times to show that this is far from a cheap sing along album. Powerhouses “Two Seconds To Live”, “Whatever Hate Provides” or “Face Of Pain” are more than ample proof that Symphorce still mean serious business and are hardly growing soft. Powerful guitar riffs and rough vocals push the songs to a climax like a rollercoaster gone haywire. Andy shows the dark side of his nature as he engages in a fierce combat with the guitars to fight for the roughness title. We get to hear a totally different side in songs like “Tears” or “Cry On My Shoulder”; just more proof that Andy has what it takes.

Simply excellent. There isn’t much else to add. If you are a self respecting melodic metal fan then get your sorry ass to the store and buy this album, because you are seriously missing out if you won’t. As for me, I’m already looking forward to Symphorce’s next offering because I have a feeling we haven’t heard everything just yet. And as for Twice Second, well I can easily say that this album is going to be in my top 10 list for 2004 because I can’t even pick a favorite track, they’re simply all good.