There’s no shortage of Succubi in the metal world but this one is a German melodic death metal quintet active since the early 90’s. In that time, they have delivered four albums and various other releases with founding member Matthias Rauer seemingly the key component in their organisation. I can’t comment on their past work not having heard it but it would appear that they have undertaken quite a shift line-up wise with three new members being inducted into the fold since 2019 and last album ‘Into the Heptagram’s Maelström;’ this includes fresh blood guitar, bass and vocal wise.
On the first couple of plays I first thought the group had perhaps over-extended things instrumentally. The album is over average length at 51-minutes running time and we get an instrumental intro complete with obligatory thundery sounds expectant of a coming storm, a midway somewhat folky piece and half the long, final, title track left to meander without vocals too. However, the more I listened the more integral the focus of these parts came to the overall album and I found myself actually awaiting them eagerly. They show a band confident in their playing and add atmospheres that draw the listener in to the complete experience.
That’s not selling Rico Zimmermann’s rasping snarls short, at times a bit reminiscent of Tomas Lindberg, he also manages to get some clean parts in without turning things into a more modern sounding act striving for commercial acceptance. Indeed, the group keep things pretty constant and people are obviously going to find this has a bit of a Swedish vibe about it, that’s the nature of the beast, female formed demon or otherwise. Think early In Flames and a splash of Skydancer era Dark Tranquillity along with some Omnium Gatherum and you won’t be that far wide of the mark here. Melody is constant and songs such as ‘Barrages Of Broken Hopes’ have a catchy tenacity in the riff department. I don’t find this an album that goes for the throat, its intricacies are more of a subtle variety, speedy and snappy when necessary but imbibed with plenty of grace, poise and rhythm.
It’s not the easiest of genres for experimenting within and Succubus don’t try. What they achieve here is a neat set of songs that are guaranteed to get toes a tapping and heads nodding along in approval. I guess the new line-up can be considered a success and melodeath fans giving this a listen won’t find themselves sold short. Hopefully any past curses to the existence of the band are laid to rest now and they will continue to build on this new chapter.
(7/10 Pete Woods)
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