For some time I've wanted to get around to this band. Born out of the Swedish Melodic Death Metal scene, I found their Thrash adjacent approach enthralling in my early days of exploring Extreme Metal. Crossing my path in the early naughts at the peak of their freshness, they join a handful of bands that share that inexorable link to youth. All thanks to Nuclear Blast records no doubt, who signed and promoted a lot of decent Metal in that era. After nine years of silence they are still brandishing the same intensity and character with little new to offer. Although I'm keen to hear innovation and new ideas, I'll hand it to them that sticking to their guns worked out for the better against a popular Djent seven string sound you might expect them to onboard.
I'll save my enthusiastic descriptions for another day when nostalgically reflecting on their discography. Although Inhuman Spirits plays to the Darkane sound strictly, its only brief moments of carbon copies that conjure the adrenaline. The lead guitars have its distinct melodic flavor and battering drums team up with the rhythem guitar for choppy, pacey grooves just as before. Its only the vocals that venture into a new territory with fitting deep guttural roars akin to fellow Swede Akerfeldt of Opeth.
Alas this blog mostly serves as another entry to catalog the memories of a never ending journey. The early Darkane records are far from remarkable but bring enough distinction and character to give them some edge if Melodic Death Metal is your thing. With my apatite for Metal dwindling, this was a nice reminder of their competency. A Spiral To Nothing had some cracking discordant riffs held within, one that stood out. Possibly a better re-emergence than most returns but my excitement was quelled.
Rating: 5/10