The Oracle and the Keyholder

Melodic Swedish Death Metal is a concept unto itself and the country's history in that department is strewn with many victories over the past years. But let's not concentrate on those as I really don't want to re-write Daniel Ekeroth's book, Swedish Death Metal. 

Anachronaeon, a melodic Dark/Death Metal band that was formed in Västerås, Sweden in 2003, has released four studio albums since the formation of the band. The band's fifth album is called The Oracle and the Keyholder. Previous albums were recorded by Andreas Åkerlind and Patrick Carlsson and they've been joined by Kenneth Johansson (on second guitar) and Mattias Balk in the line-up.

The Oracle and the Keyholder offers nothing we haven't heard before but we always appreciate well-crafted music that captures your mind, don't we? I guess we do and Anachronaeon has plenty of those musical values and they skillfully introduce this arsenal to the listeners without holding back one bit. They have done a great job as far as the songs' melodies are concerned and brought a more progressive attitude that creates some unorthodox and unexpected moments that positive surprises every time you hear them. The dark and ominous aura permeating the album isn't bad either. As I said, there's really nothing new here in the world of melodic and progressive Dark and Death Metal but the obvious Swedish Metal stamp of quality applies to Anachronaeon's The Oracle and the Keyholder. And I have to say Patrick Carlsson has some of the best Death Metal growls out there nowadays besides being a musical genius, of course. End of rant.