Sarcasm (Swe) - Within the Sphere of Ethereal Minds

Artist: Sarcasm (Swe)
Release Title: Within the Sphere of Ethereal Minds
Year: 2017
Label: Dark Descent Records
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Bloodsoaked Sunrise
2. From the Crimson Fog, They Emerged
3. Embodiment of Source
4. Scars of a Land Forgotten
5. In the Grip of Awakening Times
6. Silent Waves Summoned Your Inner Being
7. A Black Veil for Earth
8. The Drowning Light at the Edge of the Dawn

Attempting to build on their career success, Swedish death metallers under the name Sarcasm have had plenty of competing resources derailing the launch of the band back in the mid-90s and has resulted in their long-suppressed debut being released just last year. Going further with the additions of new bassist Jonas Söder, returning guitarist Anders Eriksen and drummer extraordinaire Matte Modin, the groups’ true sophomore effort was released April 28, 2017 on Dark Descent Records.

Managing to sound like their old selves, the bands launches a fine assault here featuring plenty of furious melodic rhythms alongside their traditional leanings. The main element here is a rather dynamic outpouring of light, melodic rhythms running along the majority of the tracks here, generating a pleasingly biting tone with the swirling riff-work alongside the melodies. It drives along at a rather solid mid-tempo thrash-style pace as well, featuring plenty of rather stylish and blazing energetic rhythms in a dirty old-school thrash-like setup that it manages to whip together a truly frenzied and frantic nature that still brings out the celebrated melodic leads to run alongside the riff-work and giving the album some rather engaging efforts. While this setup works for the vast majority of the time, it does leave this one with its main flaws easily highlighted. Quite simply, if there’s not a really engaging up-tempo thrash piece for the track to hang its melodies off of, then the album tends to just sound like a rather bland mid-tempo sea of rather bland riffing just plodding the album along rather lazily, making this one feel just rather dull more than anything. This also ends giving this a problem of feeling much longer than it really should because there are tracks that zip by being rather frantic and thrash-driven while the more plodding and overdrawn efforts are so endless they make the album a somewhat chore to sit through which speaks volumes due to its brief running time. Hopefully, this can be ironed out in the future and repaired as there’s some solid work wasted due to these flaws.

Despite some rather troubling work at times here with the rather bland slower sections featured throughout here, there’s more than enough to like here with the melodic output that this one will be of interest to those who enjoy the old-school melodic death metal scene for the most part.

Score: 78/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com/album/within-the-sphere-of-ethereal-minds

Immortal Shadow - Horror Circus

Artist: Immortal Shadow
Release Title: Horror Circus
Year: 2017
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Thrill for the Hunt
2. Shadow of North
3. My Death My Liberation
4. Immortal
5. They Would Be Better Dead
6. Ragnarok
7. In Your Grave
8. Veil of Maya
9. Horror Circus
10. Fear in My Head

Formed back in 2006, Spanish melodic death metallers Immortal Shadow initially came together with the sole aim of playing metal with friends which has brought out a combination of the hard and heavy riffs with the melody of twin guitars that intertwined into the old style. Finally getting to their first release, the groups’ full-length debut was originally self-released January 23, 2017.

Once this gets going, there’s a rather pronounced and explosive melodic air throughout here that’s quite heavily accented in the music. This comes from the rather rabid twin-guitar riffing that propels the tracks throughout here, giving this one plenty of rather tight and condensed thrashing patterns that offer plenty to like here due to the speed-driven rhythms and pacing present. That brings out the melodic flurries incredibly well while letting the frothing intensity get worked up strongly to a much more frantic setting than expected with the riff-work getting into much deeper and blistering settings during the mid-tempo sections.being graced with a melodic accent during these frantic sections gives this the kind of balance due to these sweeping melodic accents over frantic, charging patterns. Given that this comes off with a lot more energetic punch than expected, the album does make a strong initial impression even with the fact that there’s a slight issue to be had with the albums’ condensed and shorter feeling. The tracks here are quite short overall, all being pretty much straight-up three minutes long and don’t offer up too many chances to really explore the genre all that well. It gets caught up in the brevity issue more than anything else here which would enhance the melody a lot more had the arrangements been able to breathe more than what’s on offer. It’s not that detrimental, though, and really doesn’t let a lot of the fun get diminished.

An incredibly fun debut offering, this one really offers a lot more than expected and gets some really engaging work in here and although it does have a few minor issues on display the fact that there’s more to like about it makes this a solid choice to explore for fans of intensity-driven melodeath or the genre in general.

Score: 80/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://immortalshadow.bandcamp.com/

Beyond Chronicles - Human Nation

Artist: Beyond Chronicles
Release Title: Human Nation
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent (Doweet Records)
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Ground Zero
2. Cold Vengeance
3. Last Transmission
4. Powerless
5. Upon Them
6. Not Scared to Die
7. Human Nation
8. The Best at Everything
9. Trebuchet
10. We'll March On
11. Beyond the Dark
12. Win by Blood

In existence since 2012, Paris-based melodic death metallers Beyond Chronicles have steadily risen to the point of allowing their influences to take place in bringing out the groups’ finest official release yet following their continuous stretch of live dates to hone their skills. Coming together in grand style, the first full-length album was released October 7, 2016 on Dooweet Records promotions.

Taking full advantage of their style, the group manages to exploit these elements together in fine fashion as they utilize their skills in rather decent offerings. Built around short, stuttering rhythms and a crunchy mid-tempo attack, there’s a generally solid attack featured throughout here that makes the generally one-dimensional material come to life. With the infusion of swirling melodic rhythms throughout the vast majority of the tracks as well as the inclusion of a stellar dynamic mixing together the hoarse shouts with the clean crooning, it all comes off with a fine light melodic touch that’s quite nicely in keeping with the general feel of the album. There’s little to be done, though, for how much of an impact the flaws have on this one as the material is quite light and one-dimensional sounding. It’s all based around the continued usage of a lightweight-sounding chugging series of mid-tempo riffs that keeps the energy level down into nearly achieving breakdowns in the middle of the tracks that really brings the whole quality of the second half of the album down. Likewise, the fact that this one really has quite a pronounced lack of variety where the songs blend together into so many similar set-ups which makes for a fine if much too familiar experience where the album really loses steam in second half as it becomes all too obvious that it has run through the playbook already and just offering up more of the same that highlights the fact that it’s much too long running-time-wise which highlights this factor much easier. Still, for a debut, it’s not entirely terrible.

While nowhere near an important release overall here, the fact that this is a debut and is to be expected that a learning curve si to be established for bands as they make their way in the scene is enough to levy this one somewhat into being really only for the most diehard and undiscriminating melodeath fan.

Score: 67/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://beyondchronicles.com/product/human-nation/

Axxen Conners - Nowhere to Escape Sins EP

Artist: Axxen Conners
Release Title: Nowhere to Escape Sins EP
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Melodic/Progressive Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Behind the Walls of the Primal Existence
2. Creator Became Absolute
3. Cursed Messiah for a Doomed Society

Formed just in 2015, Turkish death metal duo Axxen Conners have come together quite quickly with the intent of meshing their stylistic progressive and melodic influences into a charging death metal unit exploring these elements. Quickly wasting no time to getting their first work out, the groups’ debut EP was originally self-released August 14, 2016.

For the most part, the album demonstrates a great deal of influence from both the melodic and progressive realms that carry a large weight throughout here. The riff-work here is a great variation of the two, with the main patterns utilizing challenging, twisted groove-styled rhythms full of melodic accents, which is basically the entire gamut of material here as the music is simply differentiated through either a mid-tempo chug or a swirling up-tempo charge that utilizes more melodic tendencies. Given that there’s not a whole lot else going on throughout here as the material is straightforward and doesn’t really vary or differentiate itself from these elements here with only three tracks to gather their style, so however well-performed this material actually is, the fact that there’s so few material here is what really holds this back.

Without a whole lot of material to really get into here that doesn’t really offer much variation anyway, there’s quite a few flaws here that do bring down the film’s positives enough that this one really seems to appeal only to those that appreciate the simplistic nature of the material more than the actual quality of what’s on display.

Score: 65/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://axxenconners.bandcamp.com/album/nowhere-to-escape-sins-ep

Ghost of Mary - Oblivaeon

Artist: Ghost of Mary
Release Title: Oblivaeon
Year: 2016
Label: Revalve Records
Genre: Melodic Gothic/Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. The Moon and the Tree
2. Shades
3. Last Guardians
4. Nothing
5. The Ancient Abyss
6. Oblivaeon
7. Black Star
8. Something to Know
9. The End Is the Beginning
10. Nowhere Now Here

Formed in early 2014, Italian gothic/death metal newcomers Ghost of Mary have come together to add a great new voice into the genre with articulated and melodic progressive architectures and immersed in a dark atmosphere. Based on the original tale written by Daniele Rini as a sort of allegory about life and death, the group’s full-length debut was released December 2, 2016 on Revalve Records.

Coming off as a complete surprise, this here was quite the impressive and utterly surprising release that goes for the impressive and dramatic side of the spectrum. Ostensibly based on melodic death metal, the band wholly utilizes those rhythms and riffing structure with speed-driven, swirling patterns in their style to create a stylistically heavy, up-tempo album with plenty of galloping guitars and drumming together propelling this one along with the atmosphere found within a nominal melodic death metal band. Though this represents the main factor of the music, this is blended together incredibly well here by the inclusion of symphonic elements more in keeping with gothic metal in terms of using these elements to create a warm, romantic atmosphere within the music. This creates the appealing dichotomy of ripping, raging melody-tinged death metal with high-speed tempos alongside slower, lush atmospherics that goes together so well that there’s quite the intriguing and sound overall here. The main element against this one, though, is the fact that the album’s wildly-veering sonic style manages to make the vocal shifts appear wholly disproportionate for the type of music present which is somewhat of a stumbling block in the later half of the album. Given that deep, guttural style growl for a large portion of the melodic music just sounds awkward with the short, warm melodies and the cleans don’t fare much better either with their crooning becoming laughable in their attempts to interject melody into their rhythms especially on the attempts at balladry. Given that this is a debut offering, though, much of this is somewhat forgivable and doesn’t detract from this one all that much.

As it stands, there are a few problems here with the disparate vocal stylings throughout here, but the fact that being a debut there’s always a chance to fix this and it doesn’t distract much from the music at all which is far more enjoyable gives this one quite a lot of appeal to melodic death metal fans of those intrigued by darker gothic metal as well.

Score: 88/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://revalverecords.bigcartel.com/product/ghost-of-mary-oblivaeon

Atropas - From Ashes EP

Artist: Atropas
Release Title: From Ashes EP
Year: 2016
Label: WormHoleDeath Records
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Rapture
2. Burn It to the Ground
3. Orchids
4. Ashes
5. Redeem the Lost
6. My Oath

Attempting to expand their horizons, Swiss melodic death metallers Atropas have carried on from their past works which has taken their older influences into a stronger, more vicious attack that begins adopting more of a metalcore-influenced sound into their sound. Following up a little over a year from the last full-length release, this new EP was originally released December 2, 2016 on WormHoleDeath Records.

Charging along quite intently, the group offers quite an impressive overall attack here with their metalcore-inspired influences even more in the forefront of their sound. That becomes apparent immediately here with the influx of short, stuttering-style pattern sections alongside the sharp, chugging-based riffing utilized here which gives this a far stronger appeal for that particular style throughout here. Still, that doesn’t deter the fact that the jagged, angular patterns and pleasing melodic runs aren’t featured here as they’re still quite prominently displayed which get far more total running time throughout here which makes this one feel more intense and dynamic than most metalcore groups with their inclusion of these more traditionally-minded melodic death metal stylings that offer fluid rhythms that are charging in their intensity while still leaving plenty of room for their lengthier arrangements as the few epics come off rather nicely with the group able to shift from the tight chugging metalcore style into sprawling, furious melodic ragers together in a cohesive whole. Although this drops a little with the squealing vocals not really being all that intimidating and dropping some of the songs somewhat with their high-pitched screaming coming off grating more than anything, it’s not nearly enough to deter this from being quite the enjoyable mini-album.

As there’s not a whole lot really wrong here with this one and instead featuring plenty of enjoyable elements coming from a great understanding of their infusion of tight chugging metalcore into their sprawling melodic death metal that leaves this a solid pick for fans of either style or those curious to see where the band is heading.

Score: 88/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://atropasshop.bigcartel.com/product/from-ashes-new-ep-out-now-via-whd

Across the Burning Sky - The End is Near

Artist: Across the Burning Sky
Release Title: The End is Near
Year: 2016
Label: MDD Records
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. The Death March
2. Demons Rising
3. Towards The Sky
4. Sacrifice
5. Call of the Ancient Gods
6. The Fourth Deadly Sin
7. Shadows Embrace
8. Ashes to Ashes
9. Bloodlines
10. The End
11. The Final March

Formed just in 2014, Swedish melodic death metallers Across the Burning Sky have come together from a collective of scene veterans with nearly two decades of experience in the genre that have manifested themselves into the claim of old-school influences. With the group finally coming together to their first release, the debut full-length was originally released October 28, 2016 on MDD Records.

From the outset this here is pretty apparent and forceful about the old-school influences in their melodic death metal stylings by offering a charging variant on the style. There’s a strong simplicity inherent in this one by going for the generally energetic mid-tempo pacing while letting the more furious and pounding rhythms lead along into the more frantic sections that add a nice balance and energy to this one. Though it’s mostly simplistic, there’s a driving energy by meshing that within the melodic firepower of the main riff-work featured here which creates a wholly melodic and blistering sections here with the sweeping patterns firing off the melodic prowess in these frantic sections. That is a perfect display of their professionalism in their seasoned experience which comes off well here, but does manage to draw up the one small facet on display here in that the tracks are so straightforward and simplistic that it never offers up any kind of variation to enable the tracks to generate any kind of length here as this one is so short and over so quick that there’s the very likely possibility that this one turns into a shortened burst of material but then is just over and it really seems as though the tracks could’ve been expanded a bit more beyond just three-minute blasts of effective melodic death metal. Still, it’s the only real issue to have with this one.

With the fact that it’s just so quick and over so soon due to a real lack of variation within itself which makes this come off so short, there’s not much else really wrong here that really drops this one down as the main problematic issue here so that all fans of melodic death metal are encouraged to check this out.

Score: 85/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://acrosstheburningsky.bandcamp.com/releases

Detonation (Neth) - Reprisal

Artist: Detonation (Neth)
Release Title: Reprisal
Year: 2011
Label: Self-Released/Independent (Vic Records reissue)
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Enslavement
2. There Is No Turning Back
3. Feeding on the Madness
4. Ruptured
5. Absentia Mentis
6. Washing Away the Blood
7. Falling Prey
8. Insults to My Heritage

Having returned from their hiatus, Dutch melodic death metallers Detonation have put their self-imposed break to use with a continuation of their tried and true style of melodic death and thrash metal accents together into a solid whole. Following a four-year gap between releases, the group originally releases their fourth full-length independently April 2, 2011 before a reissue September 16, 2016 on Vic Records.

For the most part here this one is a rather dynamic and impressive offering of their style which is still quite prominent even after the layoff. Dwelling in plenty of ravenous swirling riff-work and charging patterns that add a nice quality of energetic material to the proceedings, there’s a melodic bent to these rhythms by placing a series of lighter rhythms to the main patterns here. Dragging plenty of choppy thrash-style riffing along the way and using that to augment the rather prominent melodic dirges, there’s a solid energy present here which is all balanced out by the rather strong mid-tempo plodding paces featured here which manage to generate the kind of solid, workable features needed to accent the melodic firepower to it’s greatest degree by keeping the atmosphere at a consistent tone to be able to introduce it’s melodic accents at finely-chosen levels. This does result in the album feeling way too simplistic and one-dimensional at times, negating a lot of these positives in order to keep this one at a rather constant placing so that it can keep the melodic accents firmly in tune with the rest of the album’s rumbling rhythms. Likewise, there’s a lot of rather rudimentary riffing and simplistic patterns that are prominent in the first half here which are thankfully improved upon in the later half which are much more enjoyable overall with a better sense of dynamics, and these here hold this one back somewhat.

Though there’s a lot to really like overall here, there’s a couple of minor problematic issues which are found throughout this one which does lower this one enough here which causes this to come off mostly for the most devout proponent of melodic death metal or fans of the bands’ previous work as well.

Score: 78/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://vicrecords.com/shop/index.php?id_product=84&controller=product

Chine - Immament

Artist: Chine
Release Title: Immament
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Cephalophore
2. Floating
3. Behind the Vivid Light
4. A Thousand Cuts
5. I Forgive You
6. Tid for hämnd
7. Sky
8. Immanent

Furthering their own independent voice, Swedish melodic death metallers Chine continue to make inroads in the scene since their change-over into a technical and aggressive blend enriched with dark harmonies that were introduced into their sound. With the group now joined by bassist Tommy Erichson, guitar virtuoso Jokke Petterson and extreme singer Ola Svensson, their third full-length effort was independently released July 1, 2016.

Once this one gets going, this one tends to run through the more melodic, mid-tempo series of styles associated with the melodic death metal genre which manages to incorporate the album’s penchant for stuttering, chug-heavy metalcore-influenced riffing quite dominantly throughout here. There’s a heavy incorporation of thumping heavy breakdowns and even industrial-flavored keyboards added into that riffing style which is infused with those chugging riffs which is then played at quite a few varied tempos and paces which gives this somewhat a semblance of variety as there’s a bit of something for all fans of these particular styles that’s covered throughout here. Though that does leave this with a highly simplistic melody-heavy sound, there’s not much else working here for the band as this presents the album with several flaws. The biggest issue here is the fact that the album never really presents much of a dynamic at all within this one as it’s mostly just a solely simplistic take on the style which really continues on without much change throughout that’s really obvious here. Even more to the point, it’s all pretty simplistic-styled chugging that’s not all that popular anymore with the short-changed, stuttering rhythms coming off as part of the metalcore scene from about a decade previous which makes the album sound far less original than it really should. That sounds far less interesting as well with the industrial keyboards charging away with the melodic harmonies as well, keeping them prominent in the rhythms though there’s some rather troubling nature with that style. Even still, there’s not a whole lot elsewhere beyond this factor.

Despite the fact that there’s some rather bland work here that comes from it employing uninspired riffing with some pretty overdone keyboards that turns this into rather rudimentary work, there’s still some rather decent material on display that makes this somewhat appealing only for the most devout fan of melodic death metal/metalcore.

Score: 71.100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/2pkAOKMiCMGu2ONsIyQLsy

Kinnefret - The Coming of Age

Artist: Kinnefret
Release Title: The Coming of Age
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Melodic Death/Thrash Metal
Tracklisting:
1. The Awakening
2. Victim Eyes
3. Losing Grips to Gain Grips
4. The Warrior
5. Salvation
6. A Far Cry for Freedom
7. Bleed Out the Sickness
8. Eternal Damnation
9. Death
10. The Prophets
11. Coming of Age

Formed in July 2011, Oakland melodic death/thrash newcomers Kinnefret have struggled with numerous lineup shuffles throughout here which whips through a series of members that continues to this day. At the time of their debut release that was independently released in May 2016, the Persian-inspired group was stable enough for a complete lineup before bass player Arses Ariamanesh left the group after the recordings.

Once this gets going, the band is quite clearly adept at their style throughout here which manages to take equal influence from the death and thrash scenes with it managing to fully utilize the kind of technical thrashing patterns as the main basis here. It’s a tight, technical series of riffing that carries plenty of up-tempo vibes throughout the running time here as these are mixed alongside more modern-sounding rhythms with hints of groove and breakdowns to generate the kind of explosive, violent feel with the choppy patterns and dynamic dual vocals helping to generate the death metal tone here. That’s in the backburner of the group, as the intensity of the more modern rhythms and stylistic melodies that crop up here are much more dominant throughout here. What also stands out quite with the album is the influx of Persian melodic accents also becoming quite prominent here in appropriate formats with minor accents sprinkled throughout the album and generating the kind of distinct flair that helps to compensate for the album’s lone falling. The main drive here being the use of the violent, vicious rhythm-work does give this a great intensity with it’s furious blasts, but it also causes this to come under so many more prominent labels here which causes the band to become yet another band in the field with this approach. While the Arabian melodies is a distinguishing factor, their more dominant aspects do feel quite similar-sounding to numerous other groups in this field.

Though it suffers somewhat from over-familiarity here due to the rather frequent use of familiar rhythms in their general approach here, this is still a highly-enjoyable and impressive debut that starts them off on a fine note which should appeal quite nicely for fans of modern melodic death metal or those looking for something else to compliment their collection.

Score: 85/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://kinnefretmetal.bandcamp.com/releases

This Ending - Garden of Death

Artist: This Ending
Release Title: Garden of Death
Year: 2016
Label: Apostasy Records
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Torrent of Souls
2. Blackened Shrine
3. Boundaries of Hell
4. Dark Samaritan
5. Garden of Death
6. Victims
7. World of Nightmares
8. Chaos Within
9. Vultures

From their formation in 2006, Swedish melodic death metallers This Ending have carried on the style and sound from their previous incarnation, the defunct A Canorous Quintet, by blending a tougher death metal style with strong melodic lead-work. With long-time members in guitarist Leon Pignon and bassist Jesper Löfgren being replaced by Peter Nagy and Linus Petersson respectively in the years between releases, the bands’ third full-length is released on new label Apostasy Records on April 22, 2016.

As was the case when the band first started, this one here is all about the fact that the band doesn’t go in for the usual melodic death metal routine of light, poppy rhythms overlaid with gruff vocals and then capped off with melodic leads. The melodic lead-work is still present, but this one here is all about the album’s driving backbone here featuring a driving and hard-hitting series of deep, churning rhythms that are much more traditionally-based in primitive thrashy death metal. This energetic series of rousing rhythms is given a heavier, far more energetic series of tempos as the tight, buzzing riffing is far heavier than what would normally be presented while this still enables plenty of melodic rhythms. The traditional sense here is in full-effect where it’s all about the deep, swirling melodic runs that are presented here which are just absolutely memorable and hummable at the same time as well as featuring the kind of charging atmosphere presented in the remaining sections makes this quite and wholly enjoyable and impressive attack for the most part. Though this attack is quite impressive and enjoyable for the most part, what really holds it up is the rather stumbling nature it’s more melodic rhythms interject with the heavier-hitting patterns. Though initially they’re quite well-meaning, this one tends to drop off the pace considerably in many areas of the tracks to generate a more traditional melody rather than working it into the heavier charge that was working quite well for them. It worked incredibly well when it combined the two, and moving into the other direction didn’t really come off all that well, and is really the main thing holding this one back.

As it’s not quite all that bad here and really only stumbles quite rarely, this is a quite enjoyable and rousing blend of stylish melodic death metal that has enough positive points to overcome the flaws and makes for a worthy addition to any fan of the style or those that enjoy the band’s past catalog or the earlier incarnation of the group.

Score: 85/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
http://thisendingswe.bandcamp.com/

Dissector (Rus) - Planetary Cancer

Artist: Dissector (Rus)
Release Title: Planetary Cancer
Year: 2016
Label: Mazzar Records
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Mercy
2. Fallen One
3. Planetary Cancer
4. Rebuild on Better Days
5. Perfect Smile
6. The Hate Inside
7. First to Burn
8. The Shape of Things to Come
9. The Deep
10. Currency of Life
11. Exit Humanity
12. Invisible Lives

Still continuing their assault, Russian melodic death metal band Dissector further manages to build their legacy as one of the country’s finest genre acts as they further their recent success. Joined by a litany of popular guest musicians as they display their signature sound, the group prepares to release only their second full-length release June 6, 2016 on Mazzar Records.

Once this gets going, there’s a rather obvious display to be found here where the band is clearly more comfortable on the mid-tempo setting in their sound where it really manages to thump along at a simplistic tempo overall. Baring a light, sprawling tone with a focus on offering a crunchy chug-filled pattern that takes simplistic rhythms and plodding drumming along throughout here for the most part, this basic attack keeps things rolling along at a pretty steady clip without generating a lot in the way of offering a lot to showcase any special variety or special impact here as it’s rather formulaic how their approach is worked over on this. It’s all tight, simplistic sprawling chugging that generates the melodic framework with the light leads swirling around the main rhythms here and that makes this quite predictable as it goes along with the inability to really change up the rhythms or arrangements to a large degree. There’s a few occasions where it generates a much more lively rhythm pattern with some frantic, somewhat frenzied riff-work that makes this one a little more engaging, but it’s only in select places within the album and not every track utilizes this anyway which just makes it stick out even more. Likewise, there’s way too many songs here for that kind of material and really makes the second half quite a chore to sit through with so many repetitious patterns holding this one back.

Through it does have some problems here that tends to crop up from time-to-time as the songs are merely decent-enough at best and don’t really offer much to stand out beyond the professionalism of their performances, it’s really only down to the bands’ hardcore fans or the most devout melodeath fan who’ll enjoy this one.

Score: 76/100

Does it sound good? Order it from here:
https://dissector.bandcamp.com/

Amon Amarth - Jomsviking

Artist: Amon Amarth
Release Title: Jomsviking
Year: 2016
Label: Metal Blade Records
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. First Kill
2. Wanderer
3. On a Sea of Blood
4. One Against All
5. Raise Your Horns
6. The Way of Vikings
7. At Dawn's First Light
8. One Thousand Burning Arrows
9. Vengeance Is My Name
10. A Dream That Cannot Be
11. Back on Northern Shores

One of the first bands in the style, Swedish melodic death metal mainstays Amon Amarth have been steadily employing their blend of black and melodic death metal into being one of the best bands in this style. With long-time drummer Fredrik Andersson stepping down and the studio parts recorded by Tobias Gustafsson, the bands’ tenth full-length effort was released March 25, 2016 on Metal Blade Records.

As has been the case from the start, the group here certainly knows their way around melodic death metal riffing, and that continues here with this one generating the kind of fiery melodic rhythms that has long been apart of the group’ core sound. Blazing with hummable, dynamic riffing that’s filled with swirling melodic leads alongside the deep, driving charge that propels the songs forward, the melodic tendencies of the band are at the forefront of the album overall. With the main rhythms adopting their signature swirling tremolo-picked patterns while alternating between the glorious, triumphant marches, full-speed thrash-paced frenzies or a more relaxed mid-tempo pace with a deeper, churning crunch pattern to the main rhythm-work, there’s quite an impressive mix of their usual work featured here that creates a driving blend of black, death and minor elements of thrash into the overall package that’s found here. This usual amount of variance creates a wholly appealing ebb and flow within the album as the different pieces take prominence on select tracks which is always wrapped up with melodic lead-work that’s all tight, frantic and off-sets the vicious work on display here as the album does continually shift gears to a fault. There’s way too many sections within this one that could’ve been handled with a slightly more upbeat vibe as the attempts to showcase the metalcore-leaning riffs don’t gel well with their sound at all. It’s just obviously attempted to interject a variety into the tracks but the mechanical, chugging rhythms are out-of-place and stick out quite obviously against the more natural-sounding riffing elsewhere here. As well, it’s all too familiar and does the same thing too many times over, but as it’s been there since the beginning it’s not that bad of a detriment and doesn’t hurt it that much.

Still sticking with their formula through thick-and-thin, the group’s obviously patented sound that hasn’t bit them before continues to serve them well as it generates a strong overall effort that while not as important or dynamic as what came before it still has plenty of appeal for fans of the band so far as well as those looking for genuine melodic death metal acts.

Score: 90/100

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http://www.indiemerch.com/metalbladerecords/item/38633

Hour of Anguish - Solace of Sorrow

Artist: Hour of Anguish
Release Title: Solace of Sorrow
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. The Silence
2. Ouroboros
3. Throne of the Gods
4. Farewell to the Flesh
5. Blisters
6. The Road to Hell
7. Hateful, Hollow
8. Countdown to the End
9. Rise
10. Sepia
11. Sleep Eternal

Formed in 2015, the duo of Swedish melodic death metallers Hour of Anguish Andreas Henriksson and Richard Lee have set out to create an intensely brilliant, brutal, and beautiful soundscape that transcends the status quo of melodic death metal. Having quickly set their sights on their debut effort, this power-packed throwback to the genre’s heyday was independently released April 30, 2016.

From the outset this here is quite apparently a throwback release to the heydays of the Gothenburg melodic death metal movement, and all the hallmarks of that particular variation is found here. Swirling along through a series of tightly-wounded, moderately thrash-inspired riff-work that brings along the kind of mostly upbeat and enjoyable style of album that manages to piece together enough melodic rhythms and lead-runs throughout the tracks to give it a solid, heavy backbone while swimming in melodies. As expected, this brand of light-and-dark dichotomy at play here is immensely satisfying with the album remaining heavy enough with the driving, pounding mid-tempo rhythms with plenty of pleasingly-melodic riffing and leads which roots this down in the familiar strains of this scene so adeptly that it’s really hard to really see past how much they ape this. While the more modern production does give this away as for what year this was recorded, everything else here from the riffing patterns and arrangements to the dual hoarse shrieking/clean crooning vocal styles here all comes straight from the genre’s playbook, in the first chapter no less, and that does lose the band’s identity in the sea of copycat acts that utilize this style and approach as well. They might not be at the bottom tier of the style but they’re certainly not among the better variants either, and this does bring the album down somewhat.

Not necessarily the best act in this particular sub-genre, nor are they the worst either as the band does have enough going for it when it really lets their style go that it has plenty of appeal for melodeath fans or the most ardent and devout followers of the Gothenburg tropes, while all others may not find the point here in all the negative points staring them straight in the face.

Score: 75/100

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http://www.hourofanguish.com/store/p1/HOUR_OF_ANGUISH_-_SOLACE_OF_SORROW.html

Enchiridion - The Realm of Blackened Perdition

Artist: Enchiridion
Release Title: The Realm of Blackened Perdition
Year: 2016
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Garden of Sin (Interlude in G# minor)
2. Doomsday (For Our Sins)
3. The Martyr
4. Dead Man's Calling
5. Nevermore
6. Absent Minded
7. The Realm of Blackened Perdition
8. Heavy Rain
9. Resentful Reminisce
10. Fallen Eden
11. Aeon
12. The Distress and the Cure
13. Ex Inferis (Trinity Site cover)

Coming together in 2013, German melodic death metal newcomers Enchiridion have used the time between their first release to hone and refine their craft into a fine concoction. With newcomer David joining the group on keyboards to make the group a sextet, they prepare to independently release their full-length debut August 12. 2016.

For the most part this here is a striking and far more accomplished debut than expected which manages to make stellar use of it’s rather energetic riffing throughout here. The main driving patterns here are quite well formed here at giving this the kind of driving speed and energy that’s mostly missing in the genre as there’s a fast and engaging style on display with plenty of the tracks driving out at a generous gallop. This here makes the sparkling melodies all the more enjoyable with the frantic nature driving this one along through the faster thrashing paces while glorious keyboard rhythms fire away in the background while the remainder of the song gives off a strong series of blasting rhythms or furious driving patterns to keep this still a firmly death metal act. While that’s the case, the addition of the melodies sprinkled throughout here makes this a significantly lighter act rather than the deep, churning main rhythms usually featured in the genre that simply manage to have keyboards sprinkled throughout them, and it’s a rousing experience to get the band playing at these faster speeds while still incorporating these melodic accents. Still, for as much good as the main attack is throughout here it does suffer a serious case of overkill here as this is a significantly bloated and overdrawn effort which really has too many tracks here. There’s no need for the instrumental breather to be here which eats up the running time placed near the near instead of being a traditional mid-album break, and the cover at the end is simply superfluous filler that takes it’s toll on the album as both of these issues here really make the album much longer than it really should’ve been. As well, dropping one or two of the repetitive tracks on the second half, especially some of the longer near-six-minute pieces would help that tremendously as it just feels way too overlong for a debut of this type, as despite how good the music really is this could use some trimming.

Though their enthusiasm to share their music is more than welcome, the fact that this one simply provides too much of a good thing here does come back to bite this one somewhat as it’s bloated, overlong and repetitive approach does make this a wholly inviting if somewhat limiting effort really only for the most devout melodeath enthusiasts who can look past these issues somewhat.

Score: 80/100

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http://enchiridionofficial.bandcamp.com/releases

Dark Oath - When Fire Engulfs the Earth

Artist: Dark Oath
Release Title: When Fire Engulfs the Earth
Year: 2016
Label: WormHoleDeath Records
Genre; Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Land of Ours
2. The Tree of Life
3. Battle Sons
4. Watchman of Gods
5. Thousand Beasts
6. Death of Northern Sons
7. Wrath Unleashed
8. Vengeful Gods
9. When Fire Engulfs the Earth
10. Brother's Fall

From their start in 2009, Portugese melodic death metallers Dark Oath have endured a rotating stream of musicians between releases, leaving guitarist Joël Martins as the sole original member. With vocalist Sara Leitão returning from the previous release and now joined by bassist Afonso Aguiar and guitarist Sérgio Pinheiro, the group prepares to unleash their full-length debut April 15, 2016 on WormHoleDeath Records.

The most obvious part about this album is the fact that from the start it really stacks on the epic tag with plenty of moments focused mainly on weaving that within the music as often as possible. Ranging from the utterly epic song-lengths to cinematic-style backing keyboards and even massive, majestic rhythms blaring away with a progressive edge due to needing to fill out those overlong arrangements, this release does sound quite massive and truly epic. It balances all this out with a fiery edge from the engaging and wholly melodic riff-work that employs a driving charge with the drumming that captures a death metal sound but yet flirts quite egregiously with power metal rhythms which keeps this focused on gorgeous melodies and tightly-wound rhythms for that warm melodic charge against the raging full-throttle tempos. With plenty of fun progressively-tinged technically-challenging patterns being played out here with the rhythms it all makes for a grand, stylish attack. The problems with the album surface again right from the very start, where you only have to look at the running time of the tracks for it’s complete total to see that the band clearly has problems with their writing. This is severely in need of trimming down as this is the epic kind of writing that’s exhausting overall rather than immersive as there’s times where the band will run through a dynamic section of the track then switch it up for no real reason other than to drag the running time out and make the tracks appear far longer than they need to be. Chopping off about five-to-ten minutes total here would do wonders for this album as it wouldn’t have to keep returning to arrangements simply because the track isn’t over yet and would still keep the epic part of their sound intact.

While this is a wholly overlong and incredibly bloated release that could easily do with some slight trimming-down, it’s a facet that comes with a debut album and might be a feature that’s fixed in the future so it’s not nearly as detrimental as it could’ve been and results in this being a solid choice for those looking for more melodeath in their lives or appreciate female-fronted extreme metal acts.

Score: 79/100

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http://darkoathmetal.bandcamp.com/

Master Crow - Die for Humanity

Artist: Master Crow
Release Title: Die for Humanity
Year: 2014
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Melodic/Technical Deathcore
Tracklisting:
1. Die for Humanity
2. Down from the Sky
3. Road of Vice
4. Katyusha
5. Scream in the Night
6. Staind in Blood
7. Born to Be Crucified
8. Eye of the Troll
9. Down from the Sky (Theo Holander Version)

The second full-length from French melodic death metallers Master Crow brings along plenty of highly enjoyable elements to make for one of the most explosive and enjoyable offerings in the style. The main segment at play here is the fact that the riff-work is just simply overwhelmingly technical and frantic, whipping up sizeable storms of complex chugging patterns driven along with plenty of ferocious industrial intensity, leaving this one to bring along the sort of blistering rhythms and cold, mechanical feel that’s simply devastating. The approach works in spades with the differing rhythm styles come along with the melodic leads that adds an accessible tone to those mechanical chugging patterns, furthering the overall enjoyment factor of the album with the wholly appealing facet where it’s complex and challenging rhythms that retain a wholly listenable approach with some appropriate and engaging melodies thrown into the mix. With the admittedly-triggered-yet-devastating drumming providing the kind of blasting dexterity for these cold rhythms to truly thriving here produces the last fully enjoyable element at play here to really present this as a dynamic offering. There’s rather small figure where this one does tend to hold this back is the fact that the album can feel quite limited and one-dimensional, never really moving along through much in the way of variation or dynamics and really keeping it centered quite locally around those distinct elements. Still, it’s engaging enough for a wholly enjoyable listen.

The first half here is a rather engaging and enjoyable set-up for this style. The opening title track takes an epic series of swirling rhythms before turning into ravenous pounding drumming and ferocious chugging riff-work leading through the stylized industrial rhythms and polyrhythmic patterns swirling along throughout the solo section and carrying into the frantic chugging patterns in the finale for a highly enjoyable opener here. ‘Down from the Sky’ features blistering technical polyrhythmic riff-work and light melodic drumming chugging along at a frantic mid-tempo pace offering plenty of stylish technical breakdowns alongside the swirling melodic leads bringing the tight riffing patterns through the final half for another highlight effort. ‘Road of Vice’ brings polyrhythmic technical charging patterns and blistering technical drum-work along through plenty of ravenous riffing and plenty of dynamic drum-blasts that bring the melodic flurries in small doses against the dynamic chugging whipping along through the finale for a decent enough effort. ‘Katyusha’ takes a slow, swirling series of droning riff-work and dexterous, technical drumming whipping along through highly complex rhythms full of feverish tempos blasting along through the breakdowns in the chugging rhythms through the solo section and keeping the frantic technical energy along through the chugging final half for another strong highlight. ‘Scream in the Night’ blasts through dynamic chugging riffing and pummeling drumming with plenty of driving technical rhythms firing along through the explosive series of overwhelming technical patterns blasting away against the melodic leads augmented with the clean vocals into the breakdowns of the finale makes for a wholly impressive offering.

The second half here is a little lower than the first half but does have a lot to like as well. ‘Staind in Blood’ uses buzzing chug rhythms and mechanical patterns through a series of furious breakdowns that whip along through a wholly frantic and furious blast of blazing technical chugging alongside the blasting drum-work that chops along through the final half for a blazing highlight. ‘Born to Be Crucified’ takes stuttering technical rhythms and frantic mechanical rhythms with pummeling drum-work carrying along through the stuttering tempo as the melodic rhythms carry along through the explosive swarm of up-tempo rhythms along through the breakdown-laden solo section and on through the finale for a strong and overall enjoyable effort. ‘Eye of the Troll’ takes blistering, blazing drumming with plenty of tight, choppy technical rhythms alongside the furious technical, challenging riffing with plenty of stellar polyrhythmic runs along through the tight breakdowns as the choppy melodic leads carry the frantic paces along through the sprawling final half for a decent and enjoyable offering. Closing with the Theo Holander version ‘Down from the Sky’ which doesn’t really offer much of a difference from the earlier normal version and doesn’t offer enough of a change that there’s any reason for it to be included here  as it’s the same blasting drumming over frantic technically-challenging chugging that appeared on the other version, leaving it a curious inclusion overall.

Though there’s some minor, barely negligible questions about the album as a whole, there’s quite a bit still to enjoy here which makes this a formidable release that should appeal not only to those who appreciate and enjoy the absolutely pummeling technical work featured or fans of the band or their members’ other works.

Score: 90/100

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http://mastercrow.bandcamp.com/releases

Hate Fusion - Filth

Artist: Hate Fusion
Release Title: Filth
Year: 2015
Label: Self-Released/Independent
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Torture Techniques
2. Under
3. Catharsis
4. The Hunter
5. Conquer Your Fears
6. Rolling Dick
7. Death Bringer
8. Fields of Blood
9. The Darkest Angel
10. Centuries of Aggression

The debut effort from Argentine melodic death metallers Hate Fusion isn’t really out to reinvent the wheel when it comes to the genre but still manages quite a decent showing in the style regardless. This here is pretty straightforward and simplistic melodically-styled death metal which is anchored rather nicely by the heavy chugging riff-work that takes the form of most modern melodic death metal which features that style. For the most part, this keeps the material firmly in the mid-tempo charge with the occasional burst into faster tempos with the influx of cleaner riff-work that is further augmented rather well with the addition of clean crooning in select passages while the harsher rasp takes on the majority of the work that doesn’t overdo a tactic to keep it’s impact solidly in place while still holding true to the tenets of the style and genre. As expected, the faster tempos kick the energy up even with some solid tempos and pacing on display elsewhere here with the mid-tempo charges, and on the whole this one comes off with a sense of professionalism that’s very enticing and rewarding. Still, there’s one main running problem throughout this one in that it’s rather fundamental and unoriginal, tending to play by the rules and convictions of the genre without really doing anything all that dynamic or unique with it. It’s all competence without originality, and that can tend to wear thin at times when this one starts going along at the second half when it’s simply doing the same thing without much difference in style or attack.

The first half here is a solid and enjoyable part of this one. Opener ‘Torture Techniques’ utilizes strong choppy rhythms and steady, straightforward drumming keeping the whirling melodic leads running alongside the chugging grooves and stylish up-tempo rhythms that bring the clean vocals into the urgent solo section and on through the final half for a solid opening impression. ‘Under’ offers a plodding melodic intro that settles into a steady, simplistic chug with swirling melodic leads alongside simplistic patterns before rattling along to a dramatically more urgent series of rhythms with the energetic riffing carrying the tight rhythms into the solo section and on through the finale for another highly enjoyable effort. ‘Catharsis’ uses simple melodic chugging and mid-tempo drumming carrying along a series of tight swirling leads driving along through the steady patterns with plenty of tight chugging patterns with the melodic leads over the buzzing mid-tempo solo section and keeping the tight rhythms throughout the urgent final half for a solid highlight effort. ‘The Hunter’ immediately blasts through intense drumming and urgent, up-tempo chugging riff-work keeping the steady mid-tempo rhythms along throughout the tight thrashing patterns alongside melodic leads with plenty of pounding, chaotic drumming leading into the solo section and chugging along into the finale for another solid track. ‘Conquer Your Fears’ takes simplistic drumming and tight charging rhythmic chugging alongside simplistic patterns with the choppy drumming holding the melodic leads into the intense drumming patterns and urgent rhythms leading along the solo section and keeping the up-tempo energy through the final half for a decent enough effort.

Though down a minor step, the second half still has a lot to like overall here. ‘Rolling Dick’ takes a simplistic and straightforward mid-tempo plodding riff with steady drumming before kicking into a higher gear with more urgent riff-work and kinetic pounding drumming that continues to hold the simplistic rhythms along throughout the finale for a decent if unspectacular offering. ‘Death Bringer’ offers a charging series of melodic chugging riff-work and tight pounding drumming letting the melodic leads hold the simple melodic rhythms into the plodding mid-section as the stylish chugging riff-work keeps the energetic patterns and pounding drumming on through the swirling final half for a stronger and more impressive highlight. ‘Fields of Blood’ uses a simple charging riff with plenty of tight melodic leads running alongside the pounding drumming with a strong series of chugging rhythms keeping the mid-tempo pace along at a steady pace with the furious drumming leading the urgent tempos through the melodic solo section and on into the finale for another impressive showing. ‘The Darkest Angel’ features straightforward and simplistic riffing with pounding drumming carrying along a charging up-tempo urgent pace with a stylish series of melodic leads keeping the intensity down throughout the mid-section as the choppy rhythms and up-tempo drumming carry on through the final half for another strong effort. Album-closer ‘Centuries of Aggression’ utilizes a swirling series of melodic leads with straightforward riffing and plenty of dynamic drumming keeping the up-tempo pace balanced with the tight chugging rhythms and pounding drumming running along to the series of strong patterns along throughout the pounding rhythms into the solo section and along throughout the finale for an enjoyable lasting impression here.

Though this here isn’t the most original of efforts into this particular field, it’s still competent enough and features enough points to like that the progress of the band in the future is going to be fun to watch especially for devout melodic death metal fanatics as well as those curious about other South American scenes not influenced by the extreme end of the spectrum.

Score: 82/100

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Sublime Eyes - Sermons and Blindfolds

Artist: Sublime Eyes
Release Title: Sermons and Blindfolds
Year: 2015
Label: WormHoleDeath Records
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Tracklisting:
1. Greedy Hands
2. Ten Stones
3. Destroyer
4. Shellshocked
5. Your Time Is Done
6. No Regrets
7. We Are Chaos
8. It All Disappeared

The second album from Norwegian melodic death metallers Sublime Eyes offers a rather enjoyable if slightly formulaic brandishing of the genre throughout here. The riff-work on display here is mostly determining of that kind of melodic fire throughout here by offering up a strong series of heavy traditional-styled rhythms that are quite a bit heavier and more dynamic than would be expected from most melodic death metal outfits that then allows the melodic flurries to be sprinkled along for maximum impact. Putting alongside some nice thrashing drum-work alongside that gives this another strong element at play with the more frantic, up-tempo tracks here letting the fiery melodic leads even more room to breathe quite nicely here and generate some overall impressive moments here when this one lets it rip. Though this is all highly enjoyable and often responsible for some great tracks, there’s one overriding problem running throughout here in that the tracks just don’t really offer much variation to stand out from the crowd. However hard-hitting it may be and however infectious it features with the riff-work, this is still a pretty straightforward release that doesn’t really change the wheel or go for any kind of experimentation as the album is a simple, straightforward release played nicely enough and with conviction but doesn’t really generate anything new overall.

Overall this one doesn’t have all that much wrong in the first half. Opener ‘Greedy Hands’ slowly works into a sweeping melodic bent utilizing pounding drumming and up-tempo swirling tremolo patterns throughout the tight, chugging melodic leads running alongside the thumping rhythms holding the blazing leads thumping along to the heavy riffing in the final half for a strong, impressive opener. ‘Ten Stones’ features pounding drumming and swirling tremolo riff-work into a rousing, energetic series of thrashing rhythms and dexterous drum-work turning through a strong series of mid-tempo chugging rhythms leading into the swirling solo section and continuing the rousing energy into the finale for another enjoyable effort. ‘Destroyer’ utilizes sweeping melodies and churning rhythms with pounding drumming through a rather fiery series of mid-tempo patterns keeping the pounding drumming alongside the rumbling series of riffing through the solo section and into the fiery melodic final half for a decent enough effort. ‘Shellshocked’ utilizes deep, churning riffing alongside dexterous drumming and light melodic leads keeping the tightly-wound riffing along through the stuttering rhythms as the explosive swirling melodies and thrashing drumming carry on through the blasting finale for a solid and enjoyable offering.

The second half is more of the same and offers a lot to like. ‘Your Time Is Done’ uses a gradual build intro with discordant riffs leading into the tight, pounding drumming and urgent riff-work featuring plenty of light melodies with the rather dynamic, dexterous drumming holding the stuttering rhythms alongside the blasting final half for another enjoyable effort. ‘No Regrets’ takes thumping rhythms and pounding drumming alongside the scorching melodic leads with the dexterous thumping rhythms keeping the urgency and up-tempo runs running alongside the dynamic pounding drumming through the solo section and on through the finale for a solid highlight. ‘We Are Chaos’ flows through a series of tight, thunderous rhythms and plenty of churning riff-work with the impressive mid-tempo rhythms keeping this churning along through the pounding drumming and steady melodic flurries along the thumping rhythms of the final half for another highly enjoyable effort. Finally, album-closer ‘It All Disappeared’ takes thumping rhythms and blasting drumming full of pounding rhythms with the dynamic melodies churning along through the steady series of thumping rhythms while taking the melodic lead along through the swirling solo section and keeping the rousing melodies throughout the finale for a great lasting impression.

While it doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel when it comes to the rather healthy and vibrant melodic death metal scene, there’s enough firepower and melodic tendencies on display to definitely make this not only a growing contender in the scene to come but also a hard-hitting act that should appeal to those with more traditional flavorings to ease into very nicely.

Score: 88/100

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