Chromatic Dark from Oulu, Finland, have released their fourth promotional EP, titled 'Inhuman Conviction'. If I didn't know it was them, when I first listened to this, I would haven't guessed it in a million tries. This five-piece band have matured.

Gone are Dark Tranquillity, and other Gothenburg metal influences, at least for a big part. The band showed their harsher side on previous demo's opener 'Dark Wave'. This is what the band decided to follow, and these three songs are the result. Chromatic Dark's metal is a mixture of death and metalcore, something like an alloy of Profane Omen, newer Gorefest, and Total Devastation. Crunchy riffs are backed up by hefty rhythm section. Lead guitar work is now oppressive-sounding, fitting with the lyrical theme, which is dystopian future. Low growled, spitefully shouted and screamed vocals are nasty and able, plus varying enough. They are well associated and rhythmicised with beats. The music's pace fluctuates from blast beats to slower, groovy tempos, in a single song alone. Riff-laden 'The Unit' begins its attack with blast beating and some catchy riffage, before entering groovier territories. 'Inner Cell' focuses on groovier delivery, and also features some "math" rhythms, that also feel machiney. 'Payback' offers heavy double kick drumming, which rolls over a listener like a tank, partly reminding of Morgoth ('Odium' era [1993]). The song is tastefully varying, and probably the best one on offer here. The song writing is good, and none of the songs feel overlong.

Packed in a good-looking digipak, with lyrics printed, this is pretty professionally done. Musicwise this might scare some of the older fans, although this is far from the biggest style changes in metal music history. 'Inhuman Conviction' shows a band, that have managed to hit another road and not keeling over at it. I think Chromatic Dark now have a brighter future ahead of them. A tasty demo EP, this!

Reviewed by Lane
11/08/2011 20:36