Search - Unanimated :: In the Light of Darkness the Covenant of Death

Unanimated is back from the Darkness

SerpentorX | 07/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Following some ten years hiatus Unanimated sees the light of day with a new release. Production wise one of the best I have heard in a long time. All is crystal clear. What this album offers is unique. It is melodic black/ death metal. And it is evil. It is a well though album with great ideas. Very enjoyable as it is midpaced with some blistering drumming here and there and lots of melodies. It reminds me a lot of Necrophobic and Dissection in their great tunes. Look for songs like Retribution in Blood and The Endless beyond as the two best tracks of the album. Now there is a song called the Unconquered One which is in the same vein of Ancient God of Evil. Who knows if that song was written back then. Great album and should be in the priority of any black/death fan. This is the album Dissection should have done in 2006."

Old School Melodic Death Metal

C. M. Gillum | Michigan | 04/30/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Almost forgotten by the scene due to call it quits for ten years Unanimated are back and with a vengeance. As if to say "This scene still has a pulse", these boys from Sweden bring out an album that could easily be the follow up to genre founders At The Gates. Whether it be the chaotic Death elements or the Melodic arrangements these guys pull it off create possibly the first true to the form Melodic Death album that would hold up against some of the so called classics of their time.



The album opens with an eerie instrumental that clocks in just under two minutes then fades out as it sets the stage for the chaotic second track "Retribution In Blood". From the first track you already know your about to go on a ride down memory lane and reminisce over the once defiant Melodic Death genre. Then as if it couldn't get any better "The Endless Beyond" becomes possibly the first song in Y E A R S to clarify the meaning of Melodic Death Metal.



This album definitely has a dark atmosphere and at times almost borders on Gothic Melodic Death, which is an interesting concept. Most of the album is mid to fast paced and their are several points the band goes all out and erupts into a heavier, chaotic Death style.



The vocals of Micke Jansson sound almost identical to that of Tomas Lindberg of At The Gates. The lyrics are dark, intelligent and fit well with the overall atmosphere of the music. Johan Bohlin sounds better then ever as he shows today's so called Melo Death bands how to break the mold and put down some original riffs without taking away from the classic Melo styling's.



The drums are tight and on point through out "In The Light Of Darkness.." and are easily the focal point of the heavier parts of the album. The band sounds fluid and even after ten years they manage to pick up right where they left off, which is an amazing accomplishment on it's own.



This album deserves an audience and any fans of the some what aged style of Melodic Death featured here are going to be pleasantly surprised with their first listen. All in all the album has a signature dark style that gives it an original sound yet holds the classic structure of the 90's Melodic Death style. In my opinion, this is the first album to stick to the roots of the Gothenburg scene in a very long time. Highly recommended to fans of the Melo Death scene.



Melodic Death Metal lives!"