The Vein - Scouring The Wreckage Of Time (Shadow Kingdom, 2013)

Track Listing:

 Chapter I: The Poisoned Chalice

1. Pale Dawn Rising (7.33)

2. Seeds Of Blasphemy (6.46)

3. Acedia (1.51)

4. The Poisoned Chalice (6.38)

Chapter II: Born Into Grey Domains 

5. The Great Deception (8.22)

6. Carving A Labyrinth Of Despair (13.57)

Synopsis: The Vein is a project created by members of Altar Of Oblivion however, rather than the epic doom that they normally play, the music on "Scouring The Wreckage Of Time" is death/doom metal with a decidedly nineties feel to it, not the type of band usually associated with Shadow Kingdom Records. Thankfully this hasn't been treated as a mere exercise in nostalgia, The Vein reverently pay homage to their chosen style and, whilst it is a relatively simple formula, they do so with aplomb particularly the way they incorporate cleaner guitars and keys in the overall sound to add texture. As this is a combination of two separate recordings there is a slight drop in sound quality for the two songs that were originally released as "Born Into Grey Domains" but this change isn't so pronounced that it has a detrimental effect on the outcome. Shadow Kingdom have recently announced that this won't be repressed so it's well worth visiting their store an acquiring a copy while it is still available.

www.shadowkingdomrecords.com

Amon Amarth - Deceiver Of The Gods (Metal Blade, 2013)

Track Listing:

1. Deceiver Of The Gods (4.19)
2. As Loke Falls (4.38)
3. Father Of The Wolf (4.19)
4. Shape Shifter (4.02)
5. Under Siege (6.17)
6. Blood Eagle (3.15)
7. We Shall Destroy (4.25)
8. Hel (4.09)
9. Coming Of The Tide (4.16)
10. Warriors Of The North (8.12)

Synopsis: I certainly can't claim to be the biggest Amon Amarth fan, whilst I have always enjoyed what they have done in the past I don't hold them in the same regard that many seem to do. In light of this I am surprised how much I am enjoying "Deceiver Of The Gods" which is certainly the most dynamic and engaging effort of their career to date. Maybe this is a result from the change to Andy Sneap, who has refreshed their sound, or a period of inspired song writing, the answer is probably a bit of both, either way this is Amon Amarth at their best. There are few surprises to be heard, other than the appearance of former Candlemass vocalist Messiah Marcolin on "Hel", so "Deceiver Of The Gods" will certainly appeal to long time followers but it also has the potential to sway those like me who never quite bought in previously.

www.amonamarth.com

Sinister Realm - World Of Evil (Shadow Kingdom, 2013)

Track Listing:

1. Dark Angel Of Fate (4.24)
2. Bell Strikes Fear (4.13)
3. World Of Evil (6.21)
4. The Ghosts Of Nevermore (6.52)
5. Prophets Of War (5.10)
6. Cyber Villain (6.17)
7. The Forest Of Souls (1.33)
8. Four Black Witches (8.43)

Synopsis: Sinister Realm return for album number three, sporting one of the best covers you are likely to see this year, and thankfully, when it comes down to it, the music is equally impressive. This is just pure heavy metal, with a subtle injection of doom, not retro by any means but also not overtly modern either. There is also a good balance between slower tracks and more up tempo numbers such as standout "Prophets Of War" all of which are memorable and potent. Overall "World Of Evil" is exactly what you would want from a band in this style, classic metal performed with power and conviction resulting in one of the highlights of the year to date.

www.sinisterrealm.net

Obsidieth - Winter (Independent, 2013)

Track Listing:

1. Into The White (2.14)
2. Shallows Of The Ancestors (4.55)
3. A New Reign (4.34)
4. This Decadent Heir (4.07)
5. First Of The Nine (5.50)

Synopsis: For some reason I managed to overlook Obsidieth's debut "In Loss Of All", released in 2009, so my first encounter with the band is their new opus "Winter" and after just a couple of listens I have come away from it very impressed. This is melodic death metal done the right way, built around some very solid, heavy riffs and well placed keys that propel each song forward with momentum all the while keeping the balance just right. Obsidieth have also done a good job with the production which sounds full and well balanced and it gives the music the punch it requires so, overall, there is a lot to like here. "Winter" is certainly an enjoyable, albeit brief, listen showing Obsidieth to be one band to keep an eye on if they continue on this path.

www.facebook.com/obsidieth

Scorned Deity - Adventum (Independent, 2013)

Track Listing:

1. Adventum (3.03)
2. The Hand Of Will (5.18)
3. Preserver (4.02)
4. Ritus (1.38)
5. From A Lion Of Gold (4.16)
6. A Screever In Our Midst (4.21)
7. Pantastic (5.52)
8. Colors Shed (4.53)
9. Slowlamaka (4.50)
10. Bread Trails (1.51)
11. A Spectacle In Red (5.04)

Synopsis: Scorned Deity are another band with whom I wasn't familiar until now but their second release "Adventum" will certainly rank highly in my top albums of the year such is it's high quality. I've seen them described as melodic death metal however, if this is the case, it is one of the more aggressive takes on the style I have heard and it is also infused with a dark, blackened undercurrent that gives the music a decidedly harsher feel. Operatic vocals add another dimension and these are incorporated seamlessly at specific moments, as are keyboards, offering welcome atmosphere. Regardless of descriptions, "Adventum" is an outstanding effort and well worth the investment.

www.scorneddeity.com

Trail Of Tears - Oscillation (Massacre, 2013)

Track Listing:

1. Waves Of Existence (4.12)
2. Scream Out Loud (4.36)
3. Crimson Leads On The Trail Of Tears (5.16)
4. Oscillation (4.27)
5. Path Of Destruction (6.02)
6. Vultures Guard My Shadow (4.18)
7. The Dawning (4.11)
8. Room 306 (4.17)
9. Our Grave Philosophy (4.52)
10. Lost In Life (5.09)
11. Eradicate (4.09)

Synopsis: The attention given to the acrimonious split of Trail Of Tears provides some degree of context for their latest, and as it turns out final, release "Oscillation". For me they have always been an inconsistent band, their second album "Profoundemonium" remains my favourite, and unfortunately this is unlikely to change based on what I have heard on this one. It isn't that "Oscillation" is lacking in any redeeming features, there are good moments spread throughout such as "Our Grave Philosophy", it's just that it isn't memorable as a whole and comes across as somewhat disjointed. Perhaps it is the circumstances under which it was recorded but "Oscillation" probably isn't the swansong that Trail Of Tears were intending it to be and it's a shame that it couldn't have turned out better.

www.trailoftears.no

My Dying Bride - The Manuscript (Peaceville, 2013)

Track Listing:

1. The Manuscript (6.24)
2. Var Gud Over Er (8.49)
3. A Pale Shroud Of Longing (7.48)
4. Only Tears To Replace Her With (4.20)

Synopsis: I am probably the last person who should try to review something by My Dying Bride, they have long been one of my favourite bands, however I can safely say that their latest release carries on the positive momentum they have been building over their last couple of albums. In some way it is a synopsis of the various forms they have taken over their career, though it is never overtly regressive, and it shows that the dark, gloomy outlook that they have all but perfected is still captivating. There are the heavy riffs, emotive violin and well placed quieter moments that you would come to expect and it is also great to hear some growls making their way to the fore. I could easily get used to this more prolific My Dying Bride, especially if they continue to produce doom of such a high standard.

www.mydyingbride.net