Looking for a sugary sweet Power Metal album full of lightning quick solos and gender-bending vocal work? Then I'd advise you look elsewhere, for chances are that SYMPHORCE's second album (first to grace these ears) will surely kick your ass by the end of the first track. I regrettably put off this review with such pre-conceived notions in mind but after actually giving "Twice Second" it's due, I stand corrected.

The main difference between SYMPHORCE and all other sub-standard Power Metal bands is that SYMPHORCE sound angry. Plain and simple. With aggression as its groundwork, "Twice Second" demonstrates this bands ability to write memorable, yet still heavy-to-the-core songs that benefit nicely from the bands musical abilities. Stellar lead and rhythm guitar work, performed by Cedric "Cede" Dupont and Markus Pohl respectively, form the backbone of each track while frontman Andy B. Franck's vocals retain an underlying aggression that has made singers like Hansi Kürsch and Russell Allen household names. Interestingly enough, SYMPHORCE draw lyrical inspiration from the current state of world disorder as displayed on tracks such as "Whatever Hate Provides" and opener "Fallen", the latter adorned with actual news sound clips. Also, make sure to check out the excellent "Two Seconds To Live" which perfectly summarizes where SYMPHORCE plan on taking Power Metal in the near future.

Tastefully graced with some stellar yet slightly unusual Travis Smith artwork, it seems SYMPHORCE are on a quest to re-write the book of Power Metal in 2004. (Online September 16, 2004)