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Siebenbürgen has become one of the leading Swedish black metal bands since the release of their debut album "Loreia" in 1997. It has taken four years for the band to produce a new album, meanwhile Marcus Ehlin finishing work on his side project Devlin who released one of the most underestimanted gothic metal releases ever with "Grand Death Opening" in late 2002. Siebenbürgen's unique mixture of basic 80s heavy metal riffage and mid-paced black / death metal together with their fascination with folklore and lyrics bordering to the poetic has made them a decent and loyal fanbase. Frontman and musical mastermind Marcus Ehlin's well articulated vocals have always been important to the band and they continue to be so now that their fifth studio album "Darker Designs & Images" is up for judgment. His voice works very well together with their new female vocalist Erika Roos, especially in "Skuggor", a song that could as well have been placed on their 2000 masterpiece "Delictum". "Skuggor" is the only song this time that comes with Swedish lyrics which is something that I miss from the past Siebenbürgen and it is also the most impressive piece found on the new album with its intense dual vocal delivery.
The band members' fondness for 80s heavy metal has never shone through as clearly as it does now, resulting in very catchy and more easily accessible compositions. Don't get me wrong, "Darker Designs & Images" is a solid release that was well worth the wait but the heavy metal riffing is slightly excessive and off-balance at times. Overall, the Swedish veterans do not disappoint me though and several strong tracks such as the previously mentioned "Skuggor" and "Remnants Of Ruin" and "Forged In Flames" quenches my thirst for new blood. Bring back the Swedish lyrics, add one or two more male / female dual melodies and make the following album slightly less up-tempo and I will be even happier next time around. I did not like "Darker Designs & Images" that much at first but it grew on me.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Darker Designs |
| 2. Rebellion |
| 3. As Legion Rise |
| 4. A Crimson Coronation |
| 5. Skuggor |
| 6. Born Under A Black Sun |
| 7. Of Blood And Magic |
| 8. Remnants Of Ruin |
| 9. Harvest For The Devil |
| 10. Forged In Flames |
| 11. Summoner Of The Unseen |
: 46.42
| Buy other Siebenbürgen albums |
