2004-06-20
This is the Italian outfit's second album, having not heard their first offering, I was quite amazed at the sheer brilliance of this release.
This time using the ever dependable Bjorn "Speed" Strid, of Soilwork fame.
Right from the get-go, opening track Common State Of Inner Violence sets the pace for a fast and furious melodic death metal masterpiece, making use of smart keyboards and programming, the band infuses their highly technical and proficient death metal with industrial and electronic elements, all excellently produced.
Bjorn, one of death metal's, and metal in general, finest vocalists, gives his best here, low and higher toned death growls, clean vocals, he makes fine use of his considerable vocal range here,
It is, of course, impossible to ignore the Soilwork comparisons, since there are many, but the band delivers something which is similar, yet far from identical, less clean vocals, and the one's used are not as clean cut as Soilwork's, the electronic touches, several almost nu-metal riffs,
Soilwork, In Flames and melodic death metal as a whole will have plenty to enjoy here, great tracks, one and all, stand-out ones are probably the first track, the second, Morgue Of Centuries, with it's powerful solo entrance, and Quicksand Symmetry, with it's great, melodic riffs.
Alon Miasnikov
