phorcefulAhead is already the third album of this German power metal quintet formed around Brainstorm singer Andy B. Franck. Although the band hails from Germany, the music on this album tends more towards American power metal and melodic thrash metal. Symphorce combines melody with power in a mixture that at times reminds of a band like Nevermore.

European power metal tends to feature vocal lines that are too high-pitched and predominantly monotone. This band however is surely an exception and while the whole band plays as solid as a rock, singer Andy B. Franck definitely deserves some special attention. His voice is powerful and melodic and raises Symphorce certainly to a higher level and, more importantly, diversifies the band even further away from the stereotypical European power metal band.

Furthermore, these Germans have smartly omitted the use of cliché and boring background keyboards and concentrated most of their effort on the writing of good riffs and melodic vocal lines.

Heavy guitar riffs, plentiful lead breaks, diversity, superb vocals and a good balance between melody and aggression are the ingredients of Symphorce’s power metal mixture. A mixture that at times might lack the necessary hooks but one that nevertheless has managed to convince me. Highlights of this album are the doomy “Nothin’ Left”, the sing-along “Your Blood, My Soul” and the melancholic “Longing Home”. If you consider yourself a fan of melodic power metal and melodic thrash metal then I urge you to get your hands on this album and let Symphorce take you ‘phorcefulahead’!