While there are ten tracks on this album, it’s only just over half an hour long, as they are all short, quick, and to the point. This is the second album by the Swedish quintet who are all better known for the other bands they are all members of, but it would appear that the last few years have definitely allowed musicians to explore and participate in more side-projects than they have previously. I’m definitely not saying that they are just cashing in on being able to release drivel, because this is certainly nothing if not thoroughly enjoyable death metal and rather fun too.

The album commences with “The Forever Doom” where after 4 whacks to the snare, a scream ushers in the high-speed guitars that allow the growls ample room to play as they step down for the chorus then become funereal as the song winds down.

This keeps the pace slow and doomy for “A Crawling Feast of Decay” where Mikael Stanne roars are lengthy and controlled before Daniel Liljekvist picks up the pace for Stefan Lagergren and Alex Stjernfeldt to strum along to as Christian Jansson follows the thumping of the kick drum.

“The Wishful Dead” is more mid-paced, but with a haunting melodic guitar running through, even when it gets faster and heavier, reminding me of really early Paradise Lost.

Hitting their stride with “Serrated Jaws”, the slower pace allows the lyrics to be delivered with a more sinister edge while the music lulls you with its gentle flow.

The title track, “Deities of Deathlike Sleep” is nice and fast, with rapidly spat out vocals to match the quicker pacing of the drums.

Kicking things off with a lead break, “Vortex of Blood” is nicely up-tempo, as the title suggests it should be, whereas “Funeral Reversal” has the plodding pace of a procession, littered with a few faster breaks to change the pace, and keep things interesting.

The slower guitars play over much faster drums, as the vocals split the difference on “True Necrogeny”, getting their raspier growls as an anchor, with a pleasant lead melody accompaniment.

As you would expect, “Stabbed with Frozen Blood” is as old-school as you’re going to get here with rapid pace changes over the predominately fast song with its rather tongue-in-cheek lyrics.

The album ends with “Necrosanctum”, which is both heavy and melodic with exquisite footwork that draws your ear to what’s being done on the bass and guitars to complement the song.

While they are sticking to a rather well-established sound, they are able to keep it fresh and interesting with good song writing and musical ability.

 (8/10 Marco Gaminara)

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https://grandcadaver.bandcamp.com/album/deities-of-deathlike-sleep