SCAR FOR LIFE – Sociophobia (2022)
SCAR FOR LIFE is back with their 5th album “Sociophobia“, bearing 12 new tracks and some additions to Alex Santos’ and Rob Mancini’s band. Joining the line-up for the new album to reinforce SCAR FOR LIFE’s ambitions are Marc Lynn (GOTTHARD) on bass, and guest musicians Tobbe Jonsson (THE LIGHTBRINGER OF SWEDEN) on drums & Darrel Treece-Birch (TEN) on keyboards.
After an almost six years break, the time was given to work on “Sociophobia” reflecting the controversy of the actual world situation in their energy, songs and especially in the lyrics. But SCAR FOR LIFE doesn’t forget the melodic riffs, catchy choruses and overall Euro melodic hard rock feeling all over.
At places the music brings to mind British stuff from the late ’80s / early 90s like DARE, GARY HUGHES, TEN, etc, and that’s a great thing in my book!
The new album starts off with a short atmospheric instrumental tune called “In our Sights” and it’s a nice intro. It’s followed by “Strike Down”, a heavy enough song which has a lovely chorus and had me humming it along, I like this as it flows from start to finish with a lovely guitar solo played extremely well by Alexandre Santos.
“Wasteland” is next and it’s a rocker and very fast with some excellent drumming and it has a nice catchy flow to it. The next track is “Rise Again” and it’s a stunning piece of melodic hard rock, catchy, commercial.
Then we have “Ballerina” a lovely semi ballad with a strong British accent, a little AOR-prog feel with with some Gary Hughes on it that gets right into your heart.
“Don’t Stand in My Way” follows and it’s another highlight, one of those songs that puts a smile on your face, a pumping melodic hard rock with that 1989 DARE feel we all love.
The next tune is “Numb” and WOW what a powerful instrumental and it’s a little bit proggy as well. “Clockwork Hysteria” comes along next and just blows you away it’s so brilliantly put together and has some excellent vocals on it.
“Send Me An Angel” is plenty of dynamics and a pretty awesome HOUSE OF LORDS style chorus. “Walk Away” delivers more quality songwriting, then the album closes with “Bullet To Spare” and what a fitting end to a really enjoyable music experience.
Yes, production could be better, but believe me, the material is so strong on “Sociophobia” that you’ll enjoy it from start to finish.
Highly Recommended
01 – In Our Sights
02 – Strike Down
03 – Wasteland
04 – Rise Again
05 – Ballerina
06 – Don’t Stand In My Way
07 – Numb
08 – Clockwork Hysteria
09 – Flying High
10 – Send Me An Angel
11 – Walk Away
12 – Bullet To Spare
Rob Mancini – vocals, piano
Alex Santos – guitars, vocals
Marc Lynn (GOTTHARD) – bass
Tobbe Jonsson (THE LIGHTBRINGER OF SWEDEN) – drums
Darrel Treece-Birch (TEN) – keyboards
pre order:
www.amazon.co.uk/Sociophobia-Scar-Life/dp/B09YRZN5KG
