In discussions of the Scandinavian extreme metal scene, one often hears the generalization that Sweden is for death metal bands and Norway is for black metal bands. But that generalization is problematic because Norway has given us numerous death metal bands and Sweden has given us
Marduk,
Dark Funeral and a long list of other black metal outfits. Another Swedish black metal unit is
Setherial, who aren't as well known as
Marduk or
Dark Funeral but have been together since 1993 and continue to crush skulls on their 2005/2006 recording
Death Triumphant. Along the way,
Setherial has experienced countless lineup changes, and, like so many other bands in Scandinavia's extreme metal field, has been a revolving door. But whatever the lineup, the Swedes have maintained their commitment to harshness and brutality -- both of which are quite plentiful on the blistering
Death Triumphant. Some ambitious artists have made a point of expanding black metal's horizons; the style known as symphonic black metal has offered a more melodic, nuanced and expansive vision of black metal. But
Setherial, like
Marduk, has adhered to a firm go-for-the-jugular policy -- and that policy is very much in evidence on this album, which throws nuance to the wind and operates from the belief that vicious sensory assault is its own reward. There are few concessions to melody on
Death Triumphant, but there are plenty of furious blastbeats and lightning-fast tempos. Nothing groundbreaking occurs -- long-time moshers who have acquired previous
Setherial discs have heard it all before -- and anyone who expects a lot of variety on
Death Triumphant is bound to be disappointed. Nonetheless, this 38-minute CD offers a decent, if predictable, dose of bombast that will appeal to die-hard fans of
Setherial's hammer-to-the-head approach. ~ Alex Henderson