Immolation – Shadows in the Light
Listenable Records – 2007
By Adam McAuley
We can sense a more aggressive mindset present on the new
Immolation recording, which will appeal to fans looking for a more visceral experience over the more varied approach of
Harnessing Ruin. It becomes a tormented journey towards the epitome of death metal that
Immolation seems to have perfected, but doesn’t throw in any progressive new direction as could be seen on the last album. Instead, we have a harsher performance that could easily be likened to their finest work,
Close to a World Below.
The increase in intensity shows that the band has no intentions of progressing in a boring direction, but instead remain one of the elite of death metal, time and time again. A punishing vibe with stellar dissonant riffing overwhelms the majority of the release and gives the album the flavor of an intense inferno.
Shadows of the Light doesn’t let up its tormentingly fierce vibe for a second either, creating an abrasive, yet still dynamic musical landscape that pierces your soul. The feeling of immolation is constantly present - as the name of the band would suggest - making for a very strong experience. Fans seem to have embraced the return to the extreme approach, but we may become wary of repetition in the future, as this could become a flaw to their immaculate discography.
However,
Shadows in the Light remains a sterling effort that shows these titans still know how to churn out some of the most addictive and compelling death metal in the business, and a that they are a band that could even be considered more influential to the present scene than some of the great stalwarts of the genre like
Morbid Angel and
Obituary now.
Official Immolation Website
Official Listenable Website
