Year: 2021
Total Time: 47:07
Label: Black Lion Records
A lot of interesting things took place during the 90’s in the Swedish extreme metal scene. I won’t say much more because you all know almost everything about it, but let me focus on the Melodic Death/Black scene and the label No Fashion Records with which many great bands have released masterpieces. Amongst them were bands like KATATONIA, MARDUK, DISSECTION, DARK FUNERAL, UNANIMATED, OPHTHALAMIA and of course ABLAZE MY SORROW. These guys from Falkenberg, Sweden were founded in 1993 and remained active until 2006. They made a short break and returned with “Black” album in 2016. They came back this year with their new work “Among Ashes and Monoliths”.
From the first track of the album, ABLAZE MY SORROW intend to redefine their position in the Melodic Death Metal scene with their newcomer vocalist Jonas Udd adding freshness in the group. He is accompanied by the founding guitarists Magus Carlson and Dennie Linden with their razor guitar riffs along with the solid rhythm section of Brorrson and Begtsson, all making the listener pay more attention to the whole outcome. Their main influence remains DARK TRANQUILITY with Jonas Udd reminding of a more frustrated and “angry” Mikael Stanne. ABLAZE MY SORROW are looking back in their past and try not to incorporate new elements in their sound, avoiding the excessive use of keyboards, the constant tempo changes and the “progressive” moments. Newer touches are both the add of female vocals by Jonna Enckell (ex THE PROJECT HATE) in “Her cold Embrace” and the clear vocals by Udd in “Black Waters”, a slow, atmospheric yet so dark composition. “Grit” is also a magnificent-majestic track which comes close to the glorious past of the band. It could fit properly in “If Emotions Still Burn”album!
Of course there will be some arguments, mostly from newer Melodeath fans, regarding the “lack of variety” and the “monolithic” profile of ABLAZE MY SORROW. Those new fans might feel that the structure of the songs is very simple (verse-chorus-verse), but for me the main objective for a band is to keep the listener’s interest undiminished without being too cerebral. The same kind of listeners are the ones who are going to blame BOLT THROWER for building a career on a variety of a specific riff. They want to elevate modern Melodic Death into something “higher”-more complicated with an essence of elitism. I prefer to stay away from that approach.
The record’s production and the mixing is dynamic, solid and deep enough to highlight all the instruments, enhancing the overall listening experience. ABLAZE MY SORROW looked back in their past and used the keyboards wisely in order to create a lurking atmosphere that is more supportive rather than overshadows everything. They managed to release an album worthy of their past that sounds old school yet so modern, something that few bands can achieve nowadays. This nostalgic sound is necessary sometimes to highlight quality through simplicity, a monolithic sound that magnetizes the interest. “Among Ahes and Monoliths” might not be a masterpiece of Melodic Death Metal, but it’s proof that someone can produce intriguing and imaginative things using minimal ingredients.
Rating: 7.5/10
Editor: Dimos Karadimos
Related Link; ABLAZE MY SORROW – Facebook Page
