UNANIMATED -

UNANIMATED - IN THE LIGHT OF DARKNESS - REGAIN RECORDS  
It is of absolutely no surprise that yet another band has made a return. Considering the circumstances Unanimated are certainly as entitled as anybody else and the opening intro, Ascend With The Stench Of Death, sets up the proceedings well and is eerie and suspenseful. Retribution In Blood is pure melodic death black metal as it has been defined and heard many a time from Sweden and elsewhere. It does make sure the heaviness and speed is not completely absent and is therefore promising at least. The Endless Beyond begins with black metal elements, shows off some heavy riffing and continues on to be a mostly heavy, as opposed to speedy, black metal song with a Dissection moment or two. Diabolic Voices breaks into a Marduk-esque mold after a slow start. The title track has a heavy doomy feel to start and is generally mid-paced. The Unconquered One is sometimes faster paced but effectively melodic black metal. Enemy Of The Sun has an acoustic intro a la Sabbat for example and thereafter alternates between heavy riffing, perhaps not too far from Satyricon, and more melodic stuff. Serpent’s Curse is again sometimes faster. Death To Life is solid sometimes thrashy black metal. Strategia Luciferi is an acoustic mood setting two minute closer. Overall In The Light Of Darkness is a surprisingly solid attempt and return by the quartet. - Anna Tergel