The ups and downs of melodic death metal have been well documented in these pages, as well as elsewhere, so I won’t bore you with the current state (clue-its down), but with In Flames‘ latest release, I The Mask, not sucking, there could be life left in the genre yet. And here comes Luxembourg’s Feradur to add a little fuel to the fire with a superb homage the the genre’s definite ‘up’ period.

It’s been a looooooong time since I heard a modern/new band capture the genre’s hey day so perfectly. With tangible nods to the first three In Flames albums, At The Gates, Hypocrisy, Dark Tranquillity, Kalmah, and other, better , less obvious influences (Nail Within, Feared, The Duskfall,  Ebony Tears, etc). The band has been around since 2006 and it shows, even with only 2 releases under their belt, but this sophomore outing has the confidence and skill of a truly veteran band.

Opener “Deus (Finis Saeculorum)”, sets the tone and sound early with an energetic melodic , aggressive hook that culls heavily from  At the Gates while second track “A Hadean Task”, delivers a more mid tempo, classic In Flames- like jaunt that really does imbue that 94-97 tone perfectly. Third track “Kolossus” is where I hear some Hypocrisy, with a big menacing mid paced section amid some  more furious death metal blasting. “Fake Creator” is arguably the album’s catchiest track while “Of Greater Deeds” is the album’s slowest number, but has a killer mid section and my favorite solo of the album at around  the 3:15 mark culminating in a killer mid paced bridge.

This isn’t swamped in keyboards or atmospherics (except for close out “Into Stygian Depths”), just killer dual melody riffs and more riffs, there isn’t a ballad (although “Omen of Completeness” teases one early) or clean vocals overall, and the vocals have a burly duality that keeps it modern and a little more hefty amid the truly nostalgic riff  and solo fest. The only minor gripe is the 50 minute run time, as around the Hypocrisy– like “Amplification Monolith”  and fierce “Maelstrom”, both almost 6 minutes and fine tracks, I’m ready to move onto a different style for bit.

Still, this is a killer album that absolutely nails the classic Gothenburg style, and more important, does it while honoring the genre and looking forward as well. Good stuff.

[Visit the band's website]

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