DEMONICAL – Darkness Unbound
- Posted on 03-10-2013
Expanding permanently to a five piece following guitarist Daniel Gustavsson’s rise from touring member to full time status, Sweden’s Demonical assault our ear drums once again with their extreme death metal sounds on their fourth full length "Darkness Unbound". Those who fear stylistic change or commercial aspects entering the fold can rest easy- the tones are still low, the riffs very dark and sinister, and the vocals of a gruff and growled nature.
Certain riffs and grooves swing and attack with the menace of villains escaping maximum security lock up – check out the drum/bass/ guitar mid-section of "Contempt and Conquest" and try to deny any type of body movement, or the lurking from the shadows creepiness that is the follow up "King Of All". If you want your death metal quick and punk-infused, look no further than "The Order" or "Words Are Death" for this blitzkrieg speed picking and up tempo drumming from Amir Batar that is sure to push your adrenaline to the max. The production in Stockholm at Necromorbus Studios recalls the early era of the movement: the bass is buzzing, the low tones exhilarating and the coarse Sverker Widgren vocal delivery an added topping to make all hairs stand at attention.
We all know that the days of ‘out-brutalizing’ are over within the confines of death metal. Ultimately, the ardent fans want energy, killer riffs they can headbang to, and leave smiling at the exchange of ideas between the band and its audiences. "Darkness Unbound" delivers on all fronts, and as such Demonical remain impressive with their staunch Swedish old school death stance. Even when the band chooses to extend arrangements with doomier riffs and tempos on "The Great Praise", you will get swept away by the exotic lead segments or slow harmonies.
On par with 2011’s "Death Infernal" is mandatory if you love European death.