Death-metallers show there's more to Sweden than the famous foursome
When you think of Sweden the first thing that usually comes into your head is butter; being carried through green-hilled pastures by a blonde-pigtailed young milk maid, who’s donned in a tantalisingly revealing frock, and is struggling to support her oversized pair. Of urns. No? Must just be me then. If instead of dairy products you were asked to name one of Sweden’s musical exports, 99% of you would instantly blurt "Abba" as if it were an involuntary convulsion, probably accompanied with a questioning and slightly mocking glance – what else is there? Well whilst the follicularly contrasting dancing queens (and the other two – you know, the musicians) may have been the only Swedes to make much of an impact on our beloved pop charts (but being a discerning music listener that won’t be of much importance to you – right?), Sweden actually has quite a healthy music scene of an altogether less savoury nature.
You see the Volvo-driving Scandinavians have been quietly churning (bad butter pun, sorry) out hordes (expected metal pun, no apologies) of death and black-metal for years now. Those two words will either have you running for the hills in fear or smearing yourself in the blood of a sacrificial lamb in excitement – the very principle is definitely a dividing one.
Black-metal is an interesting and somewhat confusing beast, with the majority of bands falling into one of two distinctly different categories. First you have the more aggressive, thrashy side; where bands treat Satanism as a serious religious concept – a stark contrast to the more camp and theatrical goth-rock opera; a world of black capes, fake blood and accidental humour. It wouldn’t take long to find out which half of the hexagram Eternal Oath fall into.
Typically, opening track 'Behind Tomorrow' doesn't provide the convenient answer I was hoping for. Eternal Oath have taken onboard elements of both sides; blending the spooky (and oh-so-slightly 80’s) atmospherics of Stefan Norgren's synth with your more typical metal chuggery, finished with guttural roars that I'm sure vocalist Joni "Gösta" Mäwnsivu would just love me to describe as 'demonic'. However, seeing as I've never actually heard the horned lord of the underworld talk (well at least since the last time I watched South Park The Movie), I can't state that with any real conviction.
The main problem I have with Eternal Oath is that I'm just not a fan of the over-distorted metal scream; a vocal technique employed throughout the large part of 'Wither'. It's a real shame, because when, on tracks like 'Death's Call', Joni decides to show off his singing voice, he exhibits a Gavin Rossdale-like power and range. It actually raises the level of the whole band, bringing out a more melodically adventurous side to their music that at points could easily be mistaken for Earthtone9 – cracking stuff. Vocal concerns aside, 'Wither' is cram-packed full of seriously decent riffs; some even good enough to make me wish I did enjoy the deep rumble of a good ol' metal roar – I actually feel I'm missing out. So whilst this may not exactly be my cup of tea, if you are partial to a bit of death or black metal then I would strongly recommend you check this out – you won’t regret it.
P.S. They’ve even thoughtfully included the press material on the promo CD itself – hats off to nice touch, why hasn’t someone thought of that before?