Jens Rydén works most in Swedish black metal band Naglfar, handling vocals. Dead Silent Slumber (DSL from now on) is his project and this is the debut and also the only album thus far. He played guitars, bass, synthesizers and did the vocals. Some heavy metal vocals, choirs, lead guitars and cello were handled by many a guest musician.

'Entombed in the Midnight Hour' (a nice tribute to a certain Swedish death metal band, by the way!) is a death metal symphony, as it reads on a sticker. Theme of the album is raising the dead. There's no just one story, but e.g. Voodoo and vampire ways to resurrect the dead. So, it is horror all the way. Mr. Rydén has mixed many metal styles on DSL's music. Death metal, heavy metal and some black metal influences create dark atmospheres. The songs are quite unique, since I really can't name any bands to compare DSL to. 'In the Glare of the Moon' is wonderful rolling multifaceted heavy metal song. 'Reborn by the Seed of Death' has a "carnival" horror vibe with an epic dark metal part in the middle. I usually find "carnival" stuff a bit cheesy, but not too much here. 'Smell the Incense' is old school-ish Swedish death metal with blasting chorus. The title song is a beautiful piece with acoustic guitar (okay, great solo is electric) and cello, plus synthesizers and sound effects. Female vocals are truly wonderful, alternating with ghastly male ones. 'Blood Collapse' is modern melodic death metal in vein of older Dawn / In Flames / Dark tranquillity and it reaches its climax in the amazing chorus. 'Raising the Suicide Chalice' is another "carnivalesque" song, also a tad faceless with funny wailing ghost synths. 'Lick the Wound' is one of three gems. Slower, more atmospheric song relies strongly on synths and great guitar leads and its chorus is very epic. Remember: Every song has more or less twists, these descriptions picture only their bases.

Soundscape is sometimes very full with multiple vocal tracks, metallic guitars, heavy rhythms and sound effects, and it's all echoing, giving an epic feel to this, but also making it somewhat fuzzy. There's a lot of tiny details, so it doesn't become familiar too soon. Mighty hooks are thrown towards a listener frequently. Drums are programmed, but they are pounding and one of the best drum machines I've heard.

Mr. Rydén sounds like a man possessed. He growls, hisses and gurgles and adds brutality. Clean male vocals add a nice touch, whether singing alone or in choir. Female vocals are fantastic, as mentioned. They are not of angelic type, but more powerful, moody. Lyrics are good if you are interested in stories about raising the dead. The cover art is computer-generated, but together with the layout, suitably dark and moderate.

So, King Diamond still has no real contender. DSL is generally quite far from Mr. King's style, but still has heavy metal as a vital part of the music. 'Entombed in the Midnight Hour' is a good horror metal album. Hopefully we'll hear its sequel some day. Or should I put it second album, as horror movie sequels are usually so bloody shite!

Rating: 7+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
01/31/2004 00:01