There is nothing quite like receiving a deeply passionate (and passionately crafted) opus that perfectly embodies everything that makes death metal brilliant while simultaneously introducing melody, dynamics, and a prevalent sense of brooding grandeur at every turn. What we have here is nothing short of a mandatory listen and a most welcome addition to the extreme metal canon of noteworthy records. Let us take a closer look at what this Canadian/Swedish group has conjured up and unleashed, shall we?
The five purveyors of deadly yet delightfully catchy and epic metal collectively known as DARKENED have conceived and delivered a gripping piece of work that sees the band on blistering form and unarguably more confident and determined than ever before, which has resulted in eleven inventive tracks that truly flex their muscles in terms of the melodic, the aggressive, the melancholic, and the thunderously heavy. Never devoid of depth nor lacking in that authentic and genuinely sulphur-stained spirit that permeates many of the very best and most memorable outputs belonging to the death metal genre, Defilers of the Light offers a splendidly intense and richly nuanced listening experience containing some monolithic and absorbing moments in ‘Masses of Vain Observance,’ ‘In Praise of Shadows,’ and ‘Just Close Your Eyes’ to list the most obvious examples. There is something akin to a Rotting Christ-esque vigour to this cohesive record and it most definitely is the kind of album that ought to cement their place in the upper echelons of the extreme metal scene. What these chaps have succeeded in doing is to create a charismatic and accessible full-length onslaught that harbours a majestic aura and more than enough interesting twists and turns throughout to keep your ears glued to the speakers from beginning to end.
With its many textures, excellent musicianship, impeccably arranged compositions, and menacing feel, this LP simply stands out and leaves countless other acts and groups bleeding in the ditch. It may not strike you as being particularly innovative from a purely stylistic and musical point of view but mark my word when I say that it is so potent, hellishly entrancing, and dangerously effective that its perceived lack of originality is of absolutely no relevance or importance in the overall perspective. A magnificent slab of unfiltered darkness.
Defilers of the Light will be out via Edged Circle Production on June 14, 2024.
