Demonic Art

Nuclear Blast

Sweden’s technical Thrash/Death Metal gods Darkane are set to unleash hell on earth with their latest opus - Demonic Art, slated to hit stores on February 10^th, 2009. This new endeavor is the first to feature new vocalist Jens Broman who replaced Andreas Sydow after his decision to leave the band in 2007. Surprisingly their sound has not been altered in the slightest, which I find interesting as Sydow had exclaimed to the press that his decision to leave the band stemmed from the fact that he could not take the band in the musical direction that they needed to go. From what is represented here, he would have been fine staying on board as Broman mimics his predecessor with an uncanny likeness. Needles to say the band have not been affected in the slightest and this next chapter in their career finds them evolving within their sound but not beyond what fans would consider a betrayal of the art that brought the to this present point in time.  

Poised with great diversity both musically and lyrically Demonic Art stands to be the crowning achievement of success in the bands career thus far. It is sure to be one of the most talked about albums of 2009 easily. The urgency of their attack is evident from the start with the album opener “Variations Of An Eye Crush” but the true impact of this masterpiece is not fully realized until the landmark embarkation of “Execution 44” which offers a seriously well rounded look at every aspect of the bands talent. From the melodic prowess of their classical influences to the old school Thrash and Floridian ode to the now infamous beginnings of the U.S. Death Metal scene the guys deliver the goods with a decisive show of brut force. Following this stellar song the album proceeds to only get better with the inclusion of “Impetious Constant Chaos”, “Demigod”, and “The Killing Of I”, all of which exude technical ability on an entirely new level, just check out the shredding guitar work demonstrated by Christofer Malmstrom and Klas Ideberg.

It will be exciting to hear the new material live as Darkane are currently readying their return to American shores this winter when they lend support to fellow countrymen Soilwork alongside Finland’s Swallow The Sun and U.S. thrashers Warbringer.

-Priest