Angel Blake // Review
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CD: The Descended Released: 09 June 2008 |
Swedes that want to sound like Finns – they won’t like that comparison as much as I dislike giving it - but it’s certainly more apt than similarities in the Swedish realm of thrash metal these days. Ex-The Crown guitarist Marko Tervonen formed Angel Blake with some equally talented musicians to encourage a new Swedish sound with help from former label Metal Blade but sadly, this was not a long lasting relationship and they are now signed with Finnish label Dynamic Arts.
Perhaps it seems fitting then; that the brusque, shadowy sounds of Angel Blake’s newest release The Descended are more reminiscent of Tarot and Sentenced than The Haunted or Arch Enemy.
A tense, heavy mixture of fierce, tuneful tracks with vocals from most recent addition Tobias Jansson; the vibe fluctuates between melancholy, aggression and no-holds-barring, fist-pumping, hair-swinging heavy metal. Quite a feat in itself, considering you rarely find all of these emotions so well fitted to each other. Perhaps Tervonen is onto something here…
An album that is filled with melody and fire – I will go out on a limb and say that, regardless to the trend erupting from Finland right now – anything they do the Swedes do better. Or at least, they’re trying. Still with plenty to learn about the melodic, dark North – it’s not time to cross the border just yet.
Review by Kate Stulberg
Track Listing
| The Descended |
[01] Anywhere But Here |
Buy From
Dynamic Arts Records' Official Site
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