Seance is one of those bands that releases a couple great albums, and then breaks up for ten years or so, only to reunite and record a new album. Sometimes these bands manage to come back together and release something amazing, and sometimes the chemistry just isn't there anymore. Luckily this latest album from newly reformed Seance is a product of the former. Hailing from Sweden, the band was formed in 1990 and released two albums. In 1998 they split up, the members going their separate ways with bands such as The Haunted and Witchery. Now in early 2009 they are releasing their first album since 1993's Saltrubbed Eyes. I am happy to say that this album will make you not just sit up and listen, but have you banging your head in no time.

Most of the time I like to go through an album as I listen to it and point out positives and negatives about the vocals, guitars, drums, etc. I do not think much of that is necessary this time. The vocal growls of Johan Larsson are explicitly brutal and fit this music perfectly, reminding me somewhat of Kristoffer Olivius of Naglfar. The guitar riffs come in fast and thick and the soloing is second to none. Most of the songs are four minutes or less; they are short, fast, and brutal, usually never letting you escape the constant barrage of crushing riffs and blasting drums. However, each song is also different and recognizable in its own way, and at the same time they manage to flow together nicely by having many of the same characteristics. I do want to just mention a few songs just because they are so great. Choose Your Enemy starts out with an almost groovy thrash feeling that continues in some manner throughout the song. The guitar work on this track is simply brilliant. I also want to mention the two instrumental tracks, Flight Of The Wicked and Revel In Death. The first one is a really weird, fast acoustic piece that is clearly inspired by Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee, except this time the bumblebee is on steroids. The second one is a calm, expertly done classical guitar piece that gives you a brief respite from all the headbanging.

Even though this album is a mere 37 minutes long, there is a lot to take in on this disk. As I mentioned above, every song is complex and has a life of its own. I had to listen to it about two or three times to really get a feel for it. But right from the first listen, I knew it was a great album. Let's hope these guys stay together a bit longer this time. Death metal needs them!