Category: Newer

Back in the day I considered In Flames one of my favourite bands. This has since changed, but I am nostalgic to the Gothenburg Sound. The bands that share the melodic death metal sound that was pioneered in the early 90’s really changed the following decades. However one of the lesser known bands actually made an album that I consider as one of the better gothenburg sound records is Dimension Zero, Jesper Strömblad of In Flames-fame’s side project. The album is called Silent Night Fever.

Silent Night Fever was released in 2002 and with its heavier sound it felt like natural progression from At the Gates’ interpretation of melodic death rather than In Flames’ more melodic style. Which in my opinion is a very good thing.

With Joakim Göthberg (Ex-Marduk) on vocals the sound automatically becomes rawer. The riff based songs along with a lot of blast beats feels more timeless than the more melodic NWBHM-style that other bands opted for.

The titular opening song instantly engages the listener with its iconic “Just fucking go”. You know you are in for a ride, even though, in hindsight feel a bit juvenile. The album feels very together in the compositions, where are songs are a bit more melodic like Through the Virgin Sky and Your Darkest Hour with a lot of harmonising guitars. Silent Night Fever, Not Even Dead however beautifully contrast them with heavier riffs. The battery, the drums, are always active and gives a direction to all the songs, something that’s very important for me. The songs has to move forward and the driving force on Silent Night Fever is the drums.

There are a lot of good melodic death metal crammed onto just 31 minutes. Every melodic death metal fan should listen to this excellent album. Sadly the album isn’t on Spotify.

I picked up the album at a stall outside the festival area of Sweden Rock back in 08.

Katatonia, the band that transformed from death metal to a more progressive rock with darker themes. Viva Emptiness is the album that really established the newer style after Last Fair Deal Gone Down introduced it. Of course, Katatonia hasn’t stagnated after Viva Emptiness, but the more atmospheric and ambient sound has been a staple since.

There are a few tracks that really stand out, but the whole album is well-composed journey. The stand out tracks for me i Ghost of the Sun, Walking by a Wire and Omerta. All have very different styles, but that is one of Katatonia’s strengths. Jonas vocals isn’t a standout part of this album, but together with the synths they enhances the atmosphere which really makes the sound.

Speaking of vocals, the harmonies during choruses and other parts like in Criminals really gives them a sound few others matched at the time.

The move to go more minimalist with guitars and bass during verses really gives the choruses extra punch, something that really adds to the song. The whole album is very dynamic and that makes it interesting.

My favourite song of the album is the aforementioned Omerta, which is real showpiece for Jonas vocals. It’s his expressions that really sells the song. A simple song, but yet so powerful. Frail vocals accompanied by solid instruments, a real hit in my ears.

Viva Emptiness is a really good indicator for what is to come. For me it’s a very nostalgic album, since it was the first one I was introduced to.

After 10,000 Days people really yearned for a new album by the American masters of polyrhythm. Thirteen years later, a new album was released. It had a lot to live up to, could it sate Tool fans hunger for new songs?

As a fairly new Tool fan it’s difficult for me to answer that question. Tool has been with me for over 10 years, so it’s not a new acquaintance, but a dear friend I greet in Fear Inoculum.

In typical Tool manner, the main songs are accompanied by shorts songs that meld them together by introducing themes for the upcoming songs. Fear Inoculum works both as a whole album listen and as seperate tracks. I do though recommend to listen to it in its entirety the first couple of times.

The track that first stood out to be my first couple of listens was Pneuma, the second track of the album. Its tension, tranquility and repetitive nature really speaks to me, almost hypnotising. Chancellor’s bassparts accompanied by Danny Carey’s drumplay is one of the outstanding parts of this song. Carey play is also one of the outstanding features of the whole album. All around solid drums.

All songs are special and I do recommend everyone that enjoy complex music to listen to this album. The music get more space compared to earlier albums whereas the vocals is a bit more shy. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t deliver, it sure does, but in a more modest manner.

One other standout song, that took a bit longer for me to get was the epic ending of the album. 7empest is a 15 minute marvel that features some really amazing guitar pieces from Adam Jones. The intro with its polyrhythmic alternating arpeggio patterns that are followed by heavier distorted guitar and bass, really gives the endingpart of the album an very worthy start. The following 14 minutes are as gripping.

The tracks that hasn’t been mentioned are by no means slouches, they are very potent tracks. The titular Fear Inoculum is aslow but intense experience, that gets better and better the more you listen to it.

I can’t give this anything else than a huge recommendation or anyone that want to challenges themselves.