Darkened is back with a sophomore follow-up to their debut album, Kingdom of Decay, which was a smashing success. Unrelenting, crushing, and pure death metal armageddon, they are already a force to be reckoned with. This is heavily due in part to having ex-members of legendary death metal bands including Andy Whale (Bolt Thrower), bassist Tobias Cristiansson (Grave, Dismember), and vocalist Gord Olson (Demisery). With a pedigree like this, it’s hard not to get excited.
Simply put, this kicks ass. Not showing any sign of slowing down on this album, Darkened deliver more skull-stomping melodic death metal that is full of plenty of hooks and monstrous mountains of aggression. Black Winter (Edged Circle) shows that Darkened are not just a one trick pony and still have plenty to explore musically as this album adds some enjoyable atmospheric elements that fit in perfectly amongst the sheer brutality. All of this leads to a fuller and heavier crushing album.
One will quickly feel elements of Bolt Thrower and Amon Amarth here. Sure, we’ve heard it before but have we heard it together? ‘Flayed’ sounds like it was tailor made for a Bolt Thrower album! The vocals are pure death metal and meld perfectly with the constant grooves and wicked riffs. ‘Terminal Lucidity’ is another banger that has some of the best harmonizing solos on the recording.
The title track catches you off guard with the sound of cold squealing winds before kicking you in the teeth with some fast and sick chromatic fills. The slight and subtle background synth only strengthens the sound and fits in perfectly. Darkened seem to be well aware of their strengths as masters of the death metal craft. The final song, ‘Regret’, shows the band slowing things down and perfectly closes out the album with more great monster riffs and memorable lyrics.
Black Winter may be nothing new, but that in no way means this album doesn’t slay. With plenty of melodic grooves, thunderous drums and an aggressive onslaught of vocals, Black Winter will make you remember why you fell in love with death metal in the first place.
Buy the album here: https://edgedcircleproductions.bandcamp.com/album/the-black-winter
9 / 10
ANDREW RISCH