DESPITE was formed in 1998 as a side project in Gothenburg, Sweden, featuring three eight-string guitarists. That is a feature that is less seen in the metal scene, but allows the band to create a heavier and more interesting sound. After the releases of a few EPs and a debut album "Clenched", a line up change, and the recognition of Eclipse Records (MUSHROOMHEAD, BOBAFLEX, A BREACH OF SILENCE) the band is back with their second full-length album "Synergi". The album comes in at thirteen tracks and a listening time of about 44 minutes. The opening track "Soul = Denied" starts the album off with a more technical side, allowing the instruments to speak for the first minute or so. I noticed first thing, that I recognize these vocals. They aren't one artist, but the vocals of many. This doesn't mean they sound identical to any one artist in the metal scene. What is does mean is that there is a glorious mixture of metal and death metal lyrics, both growls and clean. The musicianship showed within this first track shows just how much tenacity there is in the album.

Track three, "The Perpetual Weakening" is a powerful track, both lyrically and musically. With about two minutes left to the track, the slower portion shows dabbling in the progressive scene creating another stunning mixed track. The intimacy within the elements in this track is exquisitely done. Then, the transition to "Triage", an instrumental, is perfect. "Triage" shows a much softer side to what can be very brutal music. There is a seductive technical feel in this track. It's sexy. "Chaos Trigger", track six, is another track that is completely riddled with goodness that flows from the drums, to the bass, to the guitars and to the vocals. You can hear the level of expertise this song holds from the first note. Those guitars in the last minute of the track are stunning.

Track twelve, "Square Zero" has one the best intros on the album. It's light but hard. There is an energy that keeps soaring through the track in its entirety. It has an IN FLAMES feel without being anything like them. I find comfort in this track, but there is a newness that is intertwined. DESPITE is genuinely great at making music. I can't understand what took so long for a record company notice them. But what's in the past is just that, in the past and they have many years of music to make, I hope. The music is an interesting mix of metal genres allowing something for everyone to love. The goodness in this album is expressed poorly in written from; it must be heard, and it must be felt. Rarely does the word "perfect" work for an album review, but it works here.

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