If you enjoyed Aeon’s recent Path of Fire opus or even thought is was a bit safe, then be sure to check out the debut from fellow Swedes Syn:drom (all the –tion and –blood names are officially taken I guess?) as it delivers a high quality death metal assault that competently mixes brutality, technicality and memorability.

Don’t get me wrong—there’s nothing original or groundbreaking here—but if you want some new death metal that isn’t deathcore, too over the top or techy (Brain Drill), too brootal and blasting (Hour of Penance, Defeated Sanity), then Syn:drom should fit the bill with their tight and competent take on the genre.

At times I’m reminded of Sinister meets Trauma meets fellow Swedes Insision with the band’s no frills, but razor sharp and still complex version of death metal. The likes of “Obsolete Gods”, “In Utter Contempt”, “Trapped Beyond” (a pretty blistering mid album trio) and “Smashing the Face of Belief” stagger and stab with precision and vitriol, but without forcing it. The balance of blasting, lumbering grooves and solos is perfect with each track essentially delivering a solid mix of all three. Vocalist Jonny Peterson has the standard growl and scream, but isn’t overbearing or non existent—again, the balance is perfect, even on the vocals.

Other than the brief intro, (“Devoured”) the band forsakes any sort of experimentation or injections of forced ambience. Just nine tracks of well done death metal ending with an epic 5+ minute closing opus (“Winds of Disease”) that shows the band has some stamina to go along with all their talent and promise.

Recommended if you are looking for a young new band in death metal that plays by the rules, but still manages to make a lasting impression.

[Visit the band's website]

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