Torchbearer – Death Meditations

Releasedate: 25-04-2011; Label: Vic Records
By: Sabine van Gameren

Torchbearer is a Swedish Black/Death metal formation since 2003. The band is now releasing their third album “ Death Meditations” about five years after their last release.

After a calm and nice piano intro I expected hell would break loose to show of the metalness of the guys, but got pleasantly surprised with a different strategy. Yet it is a whole lot of an explosion that comes to you, but a more melodic than expected. The band claims to have a mix of Black and Death which you surely can hear, but they seem to bend more to Black metal at first. But the album is more a disc that captures two sides of the band as at the second half the band shows a more brutal side of themselves. Instrumental they got all quite together and the bridge between the both sides of the band is made as well. The band is strong on the melodic side and brings in variation whenever needed. Actually the album brings you to some more hours of listening as the pleasant surprise sets you to experience it again. “Death Meditations” is a wonderful album for the summer and even after that. Hopefully the guys won’t makes us wait for another five years, because with this quality music fans get greedy.

Line Up:
Pär Johansson – Vocals
Christian Älvestam – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Patrik Gardberg – Lead Guitar
Tomas Johansson – Bass
Rolf Pilve – Drums

Tracklist: 01.Portals 02.The Momentum 03.Coffin-Shaped Heart 04.At Takao River 05.Severings 06.In the Shadows of Leaves 07.Death Meditations 08.Penumbra 09.Dying Codex 10.The Aphotic Depths

Links:
Torchbearer MySpace