Album: Scars On Broadway
Artist: Scars On Broadway
Label: Interscope
Release Date: 29th July 2008
If you've met me at any time in the past 8 years then you'll know that I'm a huge System of a Down fan, so naturally when they went on hiatus I was interested in anything being produced by the band's members. While the first album released by any of the band was Elect The Dead; Serj's solo effort, Scars On Broadway soon followed with Daron Malakian on guitar and vocals, and John Dolmayan on drums. The album shows off Daron's writing style which was becoming more prominent in System of a Down around 2005.
The band wastes no time in going for the fast paced heavy metal sound; from the first seconds of "Serious", it's obvious that this project is just as heavy if not more so than System of a Down's sound. The sheer amount of energy condensed into the first song makes sure that no-one is thinking of Scars on Broadway as 'just a side project'. "Funny" contrasts well with the first song in its pace and is far softer with the vocals in both songs being less shouty than those we're used to in System Of a Down. "Exploding/Reloading" delves into popular topics for the band members such as religion and the Armenian Genocide. With a fairly catchy hook and ever more frenzied verses, the song fills out its short 2 minute 15 second run time.
"Stoner Hate" proves to be a shouty punk inspired track with thrashy drums and guitar behind it. All of the songs up until this point on the album have been short and full of energy without much pause for thought. "Insane" breaks this trend with a slower, less distorted accompaniment, long guitar solo and reflective mood. Before the listener can get too comfortable however the intense verse of "World Long Gone" interrupts any contemplation. With a slightly less intense verse (which features vibraphone accompaniment), there's a nice contrast between the two parts of the song.
"Kill Eachother/Live Forever" is the second song on the album to have a two part title and is similar to its counterpart in more than a few ways. A hint of the guitars from System of a Down's album Hypnotize shine through at the end of the track also. "Babylon" sets itself up as an epic song with the gentle introduction of its final chorus as the opening section before setting off on a story of sorts complete with a great instrumental section. When the chorus does return it feels far more powerful and reminiscent of System hits. "Chemicals" feels like the album's attempt to recreate trademark System Of a Down madness in which respect it feels a little false and almost lazy. Probably the album's worst song, it's not devoid of good aspects but it's definitely disappointing both lyrically and musically.
"Enemy" is a return to form for the album with a funky main riff, a change from the heavy/light contrast of previous songs and a nod to an old System Of a Down live song. "Universe" is almost a straightforward rock song but it's the riff between chorus and verse that makes it that little bit more enjoyable. Just as the momentum seems to be returning to the songs "3005" laments the modern age in a slow, bluesy style with slide guitar and an enjoyable change of pace before the far more thrashy "Cute Machines" which experiments with a little noise rock and harsh vocals. Unfortunately this makes it seem as if the song isn't sure where it wants to go.
"Whoring Streets" is the final slow, reflective song on the album; another lament to the modern age and society as a whole. It's not bad and an appropriately slow contrast to the final song, "They Say". The main single for the album as a whole, the song warns of the impending apocalypse and has the political overtones that we've come to expect from members of System Of a Down. A straightforward driving metal song, it wraps up the album nicely and leaves the listener to make sense of all they've heard. Overall it's an enjoyable album for fans of System of a Down and hard rock alike with many highlights and a great deal of energy.
Rating: 4.25/5.00
