The winds of change blew over the Metal musical landscape back in the early ’90s, when (almost concurrently in Sweden and the United Kingdom) a new sub-genre was born – Melodic Death Metal, a mix of the blackness and harshness of death and the melodic hard rocking rhythms of trad metal. Bands Like At the Gates and In Flames from Sweden part of the infamous Gothenburg sound and Carcass from Liverpool; all three of these bands had formed a long time before and been evolving into this most unique of sounds. Now like many I moved into listening to Death through listening to Tampa Bay Area bands such as Deicide, Morbid Angel and Obituary to name a few. I had been very engaged in the UK thrash scene at the time with Sabbat (History of a Time to Come and the impossibly amazing Dreamweaver), who (on reflection) I feel this new growing genre and record owe a lot to.
So, when being tasked with reviewing Germany’s Battle Sword latest record Death Cometh Upon Us I jumped at the chance. A little independent German band that formed in 1999 this five-piece has a small output but a very strong one. This year’s outing is no exception, we open with a very moody and atmospheric track Into Battle running in at a quick 1.18 seconds, filled with battle sounds and war drums it really sets up the mood of the album to come.
With bated breath, we dive into Blood Morning, and we are not disappointed. It runs smoothly and aggressively along with all the typical nuances that we are now very familiar with in the MDM genre.
Drums and bass that seem inhuman with their accuracy and guitars bring this listener thought of a windswept barren land and fields after the battle where the dead lay slumped in piles as a bastard of crows awaits a feast to last them the long winter to come.
I think this band is dabbling at the edges of progressive death metal as well as melodic death. Each track moves the story of murder, the battles, succession of power and war with the unholy, along with a fast and hectic pace. This is a concept album alright (I will leave it up to you to work out the story – that’s half the fun). Unlike a lot of the Prog around it sits in the golden running time of 41 mins. This means it does not outstay its welcome and leaves you thinking hey I have time to listen to that again. I did just that, and as soon as the last chord rang out and the thud of the last blast beat echoed off my walls, I had reset the album to play through again. On the second listen I picked up subtle nuances that escaped me the first time through. I’d advise you to download the lyrics, or if you plan to get a hard copy of this as I do, read the lyric sheet.
Vocalist Axel Muller really knows how to tell a good tale and unlike a lot of modern death metal singers his tone and deliverance are tuneful and melodic and border on trad.
So, don’t just take my word for it go and jump on Band Camp, the repository of all good underground and independent bands and do yourself a favour this Yuletide. Treat yourself to some VERY good melodic/prog death metal and see the new year in with some of the Heavy stuff (guaranteed to give you a bang over). It’s defiantly my pick for the melodic death record of the year.
This gets the converted 5 Battle Swords out of 5 (what a ride)
Release Year: 2019
Label: Black Sunset / MDD
Category: Album
Country: Germany
Reviewed by Tony Evans
