Sweden – Page 4 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Opeth – The Last Will and Testament

It’s been tough to write this one. You see, Opeth holds the closest sentimental spot in my heart. I loved everything from Orchid to Watershed with passion. I studied the tracks, played them, and then Opeth changed completely. Although I still enjoyed some albums from the Prog Rock era, they weren’t as ambitious or interesting—nothing the ’70s hadn’t already given us (get mad!). Now, The Last Will and Testament comes with big promises. We all heard that the growls were back, but I couldn’t care less—I wanted the songwriting to return. So, I wasn’t too hopeful after the single; I didn’t want to believe the hype! But let’s see if this is a true return to form or just overhyped by every reviewer site out there.

Tribulation – Sub Rosa in Æternum

Well, this is going to be tricky. You see, I’m what people would call an old-fashioned Tribulation fan. Here I am, eating chips and scratching my head, while the band has morphed from a Black Metal outfit into a Goth Rock one. Evidently, I’m a bigger fan of its first era, but I’m open to giving Sub Rosa in Æternum a chance. Goth albums typically fall into two categories: they either evoke the horrors of the night, or end up as cringeworthy festivals of edgy people in leather. Let’s see which one this album turns out to be.

Paganizer – Flesh Requiem

Here we go again! Another Old School Swedish Death Metal album. Yay… Oh, you can’t feel my excitement? Maybe that’s because we review a few of these each month in our True Kvlt section. However, Paganizer isn’t just another knockoff of Entombed or Dissection. This band means business and has been delivering solid albums for years. Flesh Requiem has the challenging task of offering something new from a band that values consistency above all else. Personally, I’m curious to see if Paganizer manages to break the Old School mold this time.

Carnosus – Wormtales

Carnosus has both the blessing and the curse of having dropped one of the best albums (and probably the best Tech Death album) of 2023: Visions of Infinihility. It took the underground by storm, and before we could even recover, the band is back with Wormtales. Many of us were nervous that it was too soon for Carnosus to hit us with more of its unique approach to Tech Death. But if there was one band capable of pulling off this feat, it was Carnosus. So, let’s dive in!

Tungsten- The Grand Inferno

Elyna Khan

I’m not gonna lie, I had never listened to Tungsten before, beyond knowing the name. However, in my experience, Tungsten is one of those bands whose name pops up in random conversations, and you immediately associate it with a specific genre. In my case, Stoner. I don’t know why, but anything that “smells like gasoline” to my ears makes me think of Stoner. By the way, if you’re curious, “smelling music” relates to a phenomenon called synesthesia.

Feral – To Usurp The Thrones

Swedish Death Metal has been facing some challenges lately, largely due to how overexposed the niche has become. However, at MER, we have a soft spot for the genre—after all, this whole blog started with it! That’s why Feral is being met with a little extra mercy compared to other releases. Flesh For Funerals Eternal was a solid effort back in 2018, so now the question is whether To Usurp the Thrones will bet on change or stick with consistency. Enough with romantic intros—let’s crank up the chainsaw and get into it!

Tusenårseken – Omhuldra

Stargazer Scholar

The underground spirit of extreme Metal doesn’t prevent it from being one of the most demanding genres when it comes to execution. The increasing accessibility of modern technology has yet to catch up with human creativity and the exploratory ambitions of artists working in small studios and isolated bedrooms. Musicianship and songwriting talent are still the foundation of any musical edifice, but without appropriate production quality, even the most solid building blocks may not hold. Omhuldra, the third full-length release by Sweden’s one-man Atmospheric/Pagan Black Metal project Tusenårseken, exemplifies this contradiction better than any other album I’ve heard recently.

Hammerfall – Avenge the Fallen

Elyna Kahn (long version here)

Greetings from the South of the world, dear siblings in Power Metal! I’m excited to announce another big release emerging from Sweden, where the hammer and the sword resonate powerfully: Avenge the Fallen, Hammerfall‘s thirteenth album. After such a long career can the band still have a few tricks left? You’ll have to stay with me to find out!

Dark Tranquillity – Endtime Signals

In the name of all that is unholy! We’ve got a huge release for today! Without a doubt, it’s the most consistent of all the original bands from the MeloDeath Gothenburg scene. Dark Tranquillity has a long career full of twists and turns. Albums that I love (The Gallery, Damage Done, Fiction) and albums I don’t think about (Projector, We Are the Void). Its latest album was…different. Hence, I have mixed expectations for Endtime Signals. Whatever happens, just remember it’s one of the coolest bands you can ever see live! Don’t hate me!

Dream Evil – Metal Gods

Regardless of your personal opinions, there’s no denying that Dream Evil is an institution within Power Metal. These guys have been doing this longer than many of you have been alive. Nordström has been involved with almost every significant Swedish MeloDeath band in the last twenty years. Needless to say, a band with a strong history, extensive contacts, and reputable labels behind it sets high expectations for its work. So, we won’t hold any punches when reviewing its new album, Metal Gods.