It seemed for a while that melodeath was kind of a played-out subgenre, but I am glad to see a new generation of bands take up the torch and dust off all the Gothenburg cliched crap and make music that remembers why people like the idea of Melodic Death Metal to begin with. This second album by Greek band Aetherian provides heaviness in plenty, and not a little catchiness too. This is very well produced and very well played, with a big sound and a lot of crunch to the guitars. This band takes more of a studious, intellectual approach, creating a very cerebral vibe rather than being aggressive or frenetic. I like the sound of this, but I wish it was just a little less stodgy. The vocals are the one holdover from the classic melodeath sound, as they are a dry croak that isn't bad, but doesn't do much either. This is a band worth watching, but they're not there yet.