DESCEND - Through The Eyes Of The Burdened (CD)

Swedish newcomers Supernova Records are sweeping the Swedish market for new, interesting, upcoming bands in the heavier genres of metal. Descend is one of the new additions to the roster. The band’s debut album opens with nice acoustic plucking which moves into a progressive metal arena, showing great promise for this new five-piece. When the vocals enter, it’s growl. I was brought up on the seventies heavy rock and the 80s metal and used to be allergic to growl, but have actually grown to like some growlers. What I do like is when they have a good vocal tone. Unfortunately singer Nima is not in the category of growlers I enjoy listening to, sorry. However the band sounds quite outstanding musically, tight as a rat’s ass and each musician on top his game. Furthermore the songs are actually killer! I guess you would label this progressive or technical death metal. I really like the way they incorporate some classical guitars into the brutal technical metal of A Sudden Sense Of Clarity (a nod to In Flames, maybe?). However as soon as the vocals enter it sort of ruins it for me. The singer would be better off in a more old school oriented death metal band. I wish the boys would learn from Opeth, Katatonia and even In Flames and incorporate a bit more clean vocals. The songs are killer and I’d definitely wear out this CD, if only… damn, I can’t get over the vocals of this one. Sorry.

Year: 2011
Label: Supernova
Country: Sweden
Link: www.myspace.com/descendsweden

THE BLINDED - EP2010

The Blinded, formerly known as Blinded Colony with two albums under the belt, have finally sorted out their vocalist problems. Instead of one replacement there’s now two. One clean and one dirty. Just like fellows Scar Symmetry, Soilwork etc they now feature both clean and growling vocals. I personally like this concept. I can without a problem accept the growling when it sounds good and they actually add a bit of clean melodic vocals as compensation. I think The Blinded succeeds very well in their combination. The fact is, I actually did like Blinded Colony even when they only were growling, but now even more! When listening through the six songs of this (so far?) digital EP I feel the band has evolved and matured both as song writers and productionwise. Great riffs, strong song material and a really fat and heavy production makes this a highly enjoyable musical experience, although it’s a bit too short. I’m looking forward to a full album experience! This is great stuff which should appeal to fans of In Flames, Soilwork, Scar Symmetry etc. Janne Stark

Year: 2010

Label: none

Country: Sweden

Link: http://www.blindedcolony.com/