SÉANCE

Those of you considered to be "up" on your Swedish death metal — or who have read Daniel Ekeroth's book on the subject (if you haven't, go get it!) — may remember a band called SÉANCE. The band was part of that seminal early '90s seminal DM movement, releasing 1992's "Forever Laid to Rest" and 1994's "Saltrubbed Eyes". A whopping 15 years later and SÉANCE has graced us with a third release called "Awakening of the Gods". Patrik Jensen (THE HAUNTED, WITCHERY),who played on the first two releases, is no longer with the band, but has been ably replaced by Rille Rimfält who, along with guitarist Tony Kampner, is a veteran of WITCHERY. So was "Awakening of the Gods" worth the wait? Yes, provided you're a fan and realize that things will not seem quite as fresh as they did when those first two albums were released. Hey, it's a crowded genre.

Musically, "Awakening of the Gods" is dark, dirty, and periodically groovy with plenty of the old school vibes that one would expect from a band originating in that seminal time period. Not as frantic and equilibrium-decimating as a band like DISMEMBER, though every bit as knotted and pock marked. A marked thrash metal influence — rather prevalent in a good number of the earliest versions of many Swedish death metal bands - is still present here, just not dominant. You can really hear it in the riffing of "Prisoner 666". The thrash flourishes aside, you are treated to loads of staccato rhythms and chunky riffs to go with a Johan Larsson vocal style that is more mid-range and gravelly then low-end and roaring. Though not a weakness, the vocals could stand to be a little more forceful.

Aside from a rather cool guitar interlude called "Flight of the Wicked" that vaguely reminds of PRIMUS (it's not as out place as one might expect from that description though) and an acoustic bit called "Revel in Death", it's all motoring Swedish death. Just listen to the genre swagger on "Burn Me" and the stop-start groove and massive riffing of highlight "Choose your Eternity" for the definitive representation of it. You get an effective batch of fiery guitar solos as well. "Awakening of the Gods" is not a Swedish death metal juggernaut, but it is a fine effort that will please most fans of the style.