SONIC BLISS – Metamorphosis

With the release of Metamorphosis, Sonic Bliss is launching a campaign for world notoriety. The New York rockers have a 12-song disc that is ripe with hard rocking songs, and it even includes a strong ballad in there to show diversity. With song titles like “Incoming,” “Free of the Noose,” and “Sneak Attack,” you know you are in for a ride.

There doesn’t seem to be a lot information about Sonic Bliss, and their Web site is woefully devoid any type of biography or history of the band. Fortunately, Metal Express Radio is here to discuss the music, so it’s time to get to it.

For the record, Sonic Bliss sounds like a very good band with very competent songwriting ability. The songs are very catchy with strong choruses and simple, yet effective, rhythms. Vocalist Rene Berrios has a strong voice with a lot of depth. The rest of the band, including guitarist Roger Petersen, second guitarist Kerry Agnew, and bassist Glen Roberts sound as if they have more than average command of their instruments. Drummer Charlie Martinez sounds like he may have some timing issues, and a slow right hand, but it is hardly noticeable.

The songs are so catchy that they quickly become comfortable and familiar; eerily so. Despite the strong sense of melody and catchy hooks, you may find yourself preoccupied with trying to figure out who reminds you of Sonic Bliss. The songs aren’t rip-offs, but if you had to venture a guess, you might think that Sonic Bliss probably pays the bills as a cover band and they borrow a bit liberally from the artists they mimic. Or, maybe they really have tapped into a vein that puts together a sound that many already love. Even Rene’s singing seems to encompass a wide variety of vocalists. It’s amazing, really, to have such a wide range like his. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to have a voice of his own just yet.

“The Human Race” has a Stone Temple Pilots feel to it, and Rene sounds like a dead-on Scott Weiland for the first verse. “All Night Long” finds him sounding a bit like Paul Stanley. The music feels the same way. “Believe” has a familiar rhythm like Ozzy’s “S.A.T.O.”; not exact, but enough to make you think hard about it.

The disc is definitely worth checking out; the songs are good, if not a bit borrowed. This is a good first effort and shows a lot of promise. Rene has a lot of power and shows an uncanny ability to envelop a wide variety of vocalizations. Once this band really embraces what defines Sonic Bliss, there will be a new contender in the Metal market.