IN SLUMBER

Oh, now this is interesting. Of course, CCP don't keep rubbish on their roster, but after a quick glance through the "Stillborn Rebirth" booklet, I somehow had my doubts, and I'll admit I didn't immediately get into the music of these two Austrian grenadiers (one of whom, notably, is named Wolfgang, and the other Johann...). I hit "playback" two or three times with a phlegmatic expression, pulled faces, and managed to consume a truly outrageous amount of caffeine before the world of IN SLUMBER opened up before me in all its glory. I won't attempt a detailed description — I don't know enough beautiful words, and you can't do without them here. But in brief: IN SLUMBER play metal at the crossroads of melodic death and brutal black, and their kitchen resembles an alchemist's laboratory where even the most unassuming-looking flask draws heightened curiosity. Despite the seeming obviousness and simplicity of the aforementioned style, the band manages to write absolutely incredible songs, skillfully balancing between various complexities and straightforward bangers. Under Manacle Of Dogma, it seems even a headless person would start thrashing their hypothetical mane. The sterile production somewhat dampens the impression, but in moments of emotional distress, "Stillborn Rebirth" is exactly what the doctor ordered.