Iи Flαмεs - Souиds Of A Plαygяouиd Fαdiиg (2011)

A top-notch melodic death metal band who have, slowly but surely, transformed into an eclectic and more diverse group with the passing of years, Iи Flαмεs turned many a head last year with 10th studio outing Sounds Of A Plαygяound Fαding, and I'd say it was well worth the three year wait for many a metalhead.

Although their first record without founding guitarist Jesper Stromblad in tow, the songwriting and performances don't suffer even a smidgen from what fans and newcomers alike would expect. Immaculate slices of fun like the labyrinthine thrasher 'A New Dawn' and more mid-tempo stompers along the lines of 'Ropes' and the electroclash'd 'Deliver Us' rattle and blaze in throat-curling glory, balancing edge and accessibility in a way that few bands in this vein can do.

My verdict: Catchier than the measles (although cleaner than past releases), cunningly complicated, entertaining and polished to a fault. Recommended in large doses at loud volume!

Try It
Buy It

Aτнεisτ - Elεмεиτs (1993)

Although recorded hastily and begrudgingly at the behest of contractual record label obligations, this final album from the unfortunately short-lived classic career of Aτнεisτ (until 2010 atleast) is about as good as jazzy death metal got two decades ago, and thus could be considered something of a landmark at the time of it's release.

Befitting of it's namesake, Elεмεиτs serves as both a primal exercise in harsh-bled melody and a dissection of the various primordial components that formulate this band's sonic DNA. Fascinating stuff even in moments of obtuse clarity: the drumming proves jazzy and unbelievably flexible whether it's gliding along a mercurial groove or pummeling your skull to jelly, whilst the guitar work of then-newcomer Frank Emmi is a razorbacked swine that runs you down with unbridled belligerence, cutting through the mix with precise yet vital abandon in tandem with the mindboggling bass work courtesy of Tony Choy.

Although not an accessible record by any means, Elεмεиτs is still the friendliest and most approachable serpent of the snakepit that is the aural realm of Aτнεisτ, and is essential listening for anyone who claims to be a fan of technical metal in the first place.

Try It

Buy It