Its interesting, to review a band from Germany hooked to Swedish metal sound. I think Germany has had its share of greats (Sodom, Kreator), forging a typical German cult metal; therefore probability is these guys thought- let’s touch upon the Scandinavian shores (which must huge influence!). If you have been into At the gates era and closely followed In flames, Soilwork and Dark Tranquity (over the years), there’s an ample possibility you might like ‘Soul Demise’.

Their playing difference significantly, does makes them score over rest of the run of the mill type bands of their genre. Firstly, vocals catch my fancy as aren’t designed in the classy, surfaced Swedish melodic DM format. They are raw; maintain a vibe, and have a range without mellowing down for a second. Secondly, riffs are aggressive and varied at the same time. Variation is dynamic constructing a sheet of crunch. Drumming supports all of this gallantly, it’s thumping and full. (Though I find a little slip, in the base drum sound, which could have been a little more prominent in the mix). Catch it best on ‘Downwards to brilliance’ (track 10) and album opener ‘In vain’. Lyrically, ‘In vain’ is vastly inspired by End, death, inner introspection and darkness, open your lyric booklets on ‘Cancer’ (track 6), ‘Inside my emptiness’ (track 4) and ‘Eventually we will die’ (track 8). Frankly, whatever I am highlighting right now actually grew on me only after a couple of spins. Hence, I recommend you give it a fair chance to play over, before concluding straight away.

And for some, it never felt as if leads are completely absent on most tracks, this is to reinstate that you are listening to an album for a melodic kick, not absolute melody. So all you melodic death metal fans, don’t you worry guitar harmonies, screechy vocals and the sense of thrashing are in plenty.

It does make sense to pick ‘In vain’ by ‘Soul Demise’, if you are keen on melodic thrash/death, but can’t guarantee you will listen to it over and over gain. (7.5/10)