Embers of Oblivion - Widdershins Path

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Melodic Death Metal is present in Metal scene since the 90’s, when Swedish bands as AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES and DARK TRANQUILLITY started to play the brutal form of music with melodies that comes from traditional Heavy Metal ways. Many evolved since then, others changed their main way, and some beginners are taking the old formats from the 90’s to try something different. On the last set of bands is the Dutch quintet EMBERS OF OBLIVION that is releasing their second album, “Widdershins Path”.

Musically, it’s just that same old and good Melodic Death Metal from the 90’s, bearing influences from the names above, with some moments that will take the mind of the listeners to DISSECTION and GOD DETHRONED as well. Here, the experimental approach of the elders is absent; the main musical idea of these guys is to explode your ears, but using charming guitars. Yes, they’re pretty good and have talent. The sound quality is very good, allowing the band to sound brutal and oppressive when it’s needed, but clean and defined as well. There are some clean parts (as shown perfectly on “Hate”) where all can hear that the production built something really good for their music, respecting all their musical elements.

The eight songs of the album (“Enter the Void” is just an intro) are excellent, but “When Emptiness Follows” (excellent mix between brutal parts with catchy melodies, and the song shows very good guitars, both on riffs and solos), the rhythm work of “Tread the Widdershins Path” (excellent work from bass guitar and drums), the brutal and harsh aggressiveness of “Inherited Screams” (very good vocals, because the use of such raw screamed tunes is different from the usual guttural grunts), the creative melodies and tempos of “When a Sun Drowns in Fear” (a perfect blend of melodies and brutality, again with excellent guitars and vocals), and the fast and furious “Staring into the Abyss” are the finest ones from the album.

The formula is old, but the way that EMBERS OF OBLIVION plays on “Widdershins Path” is really great, and although they can do something better than what was presented here, this album deserves to be acquired for any Metal fan with guts!

Songwriting: 10
Originality: 8
Memorability: 8
Production: 8