Engel “Raven Kings” out December 2014
Returning with their fourth album, ENGEL seem to have hit all of the right buttons when writing and recording “Raven Kings”. What lies in this collection of eleven songs, is a deliciously crushing, heavy and at times, brutal combination of riff’s that will please the most critical of Extreme metal tastes.
While the furious guitar and rhythm work, knuckle fight each other with a bloody and beautiful outcome, the defining characteristic that separates ENGEL from the rest of the pack, is their ability to take the listener on an unsuspecting left turn with soaring vocals courtesy of Mikael Sehlin, who delivers melodies that glisten like prized jewels amongst a gritty, dark and ferocious audio landscape.
With such tracks as album opener “Salvation” to “My Dark Path”, Engel have certainly raised the bar in terms of quality and holding the attention of the listener. The bands previous album “Blood Of Saints” has moments of brilliance that clearly led way to “Raven Kings” and whether this will have anything to do with the departure of Magnus “Mangan” Klavborn, we will never know.
Although a late contender for the best of 2014, “Raven Kings” shows a band that have only scratched the surface on what lies under their hood and this listener looks forward to witnessing them in a live setting to get the full experience in 2015.
Enthralling compositions that weave their way into one’s cranium, topped with quality production and a want for more. Excellent!
Overdrive rating 4/5
Win copies of the album! Simply email us the answer to this question. What other band is ENGEL guitarist Niclas Engelin part of?
Send you answer to mail@overdrive.ie. Competition closes on December 22nd. Good Luck.
Words – Oran O’Beirne
