Thirteenth album for Paganizer, who have become one of the flagship bands in Swedish Death Metal by the combined dint of effort and longevity. Thirteen albums in 25 years is impressive enough, but then you have to figure in the fistfuls of splits, EPs, and compilations. Through it all, Rogga and his guys have remained dedicated to their old-school sound. Paganizer carry the torch of classic Scandinavian Death Metal, and at this point I don't think anyone else does that better.
I think this one is better than their last, Beyond the Macabre, as it shows the band sounding sharper and more energized, with some great melodic leads and riffs livening up the crushing. The songwriting is more distinct, and while sometimes Paganizer songs can sound pretty interchangeable, these have more character. Johansson's vocals have always been good, and here they are more intense and emotive than usual. Paganizer's stuff is always worth hearing, but this one is a cut above.
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