The K-pop industry continues to churn out new generations of bands, which is refreshing in a global market where rock music isn’t often at the forefront. THE SSYNDROME are most notable through association. They’re the first act since Dreamcatcher to come from Dreamcatcher Company. Their ‘double S’ name also suggests that you must make a hissing sound when saying it out loud, which is kind of fun I guess.
In many ways, Dreamcatcher were basically a band without the instruments, so it’s interesting to see what a full band can do under the same management. Pre-release Alive showcases the guys’ talents but struggles to carve out a unique identity. In other words, Alive could have been recorded by any of THE SSYNDROME’s peers to similar effect. The group utilizes the ‘multiple vocalists’ format employed by most modern idol bands and you can hear the talent in these voices even if no individual tone captured my attention. The same could be said about the song itself. It’s solid sing-along rock but lacks the kind of killer hook or concept that sparks interest. I hope their full debut finds some way to stick out within this ever-increasing market because they clearly have potential.
| Hooks | 7 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 7.75 |
