Review: “Songs for the Dying” by Against I

They may have only formed in 2022 but Swedish Industrially tinged Blackened Melodic Death Metal trio Against I are the kind of prolific musicians who never cease to amaze. Their first year saw them issue not one but two EPs before debut album “Carinal of Excess” reared its ugly head in 2023. As if one album in a year wasn’t enough, 2024 saw sophomore album “Destruction Lullaby” offer up just short of half and hour of power and now, just six months later a third album in “Songs For The Dying” has landed. Who are these conjurers of evil you ask? They’re seasoned musicians who have a list of prior convictions longer than most with drummer Anders Ström, vocalist Fredrik Keith Croona and guitarist Mathias Back all playing together in Carnage Alpha, Curse of Eibon and Cynical Existence meaning they have chemistry…

Mixed and mastered by Twisted Flesh studios and adorned by artwork from Sander Kapper, the gates of hell open with “Bound in Blood“, a cut soaked in the heritage of the Gothenburg sound of In Flames and Dark Tranquillity. Soaring melodic leads and chugging rhythmic power enhance the harsh, raspy vocals from Croona while giving everything a sinister edge. The lack of clean vocals is a nice touch, Croona playing to his strengths rather than embracing the pitfalls of the style the three piece call their own. Buried synths give “Depraved Lust” a ethereal moments to add to the rich melodies from the guitars, the vocals the single heaviest element on this one. The issue with both cuts, but less so the first is that they feel a verse and chorus over long, the lack of a face melting solo, heavy breakdown or ambient break noticeable. Programmed beak beats give “A Hymn For The End” a spice that’s nice in the introduction, this one having more sonic intensity in the driving rhythms which makes all the difference. Almost mournful synths provide melodic warmth but Croona is a demon in disguise, his brutal vocals casting that aside with an evil grin. Staccato riff break passages make “Crimson Queen” a pile driver of a tune with a hint at cinematic overtones in the bridge. A powerhouse cut that sounds like it belongs on the soundtrack to a vampire movie, this one is a standout that deserves attention before twisted tale of “Eternal Slumber“. Lulling the discerning listener into a false sense of security a melodic introduction is soon replaced by chugging guitars before the industrial sounds chemically enhance the aggressive tendencies. An almost tribal drum fill in the centre of the cut works well, the synths a little overpowering at the end.

A couple of almost unhinged vocal moments from Croona help to elevate “From the Beyond” as Groove Metal riffs punch through the ethereal synths like a hot knife through butter before “Father of Lies” races away at ramming speed. A circle pit starter that feels like a Soilwork demo of old, this one has a delicate guitar solo before a bass solo as the trio get creative without breaking the mould. Fright night begins with “Judgement of the Damned“, a tune clearly inspired by George A. Romero movies with Horror Punk vibes in Melodic Death Metal. The whole aesthetic works very well and you could just picture Wednesday 13 providing a guest vocal to give it a little something more. That atmosphere continues into “Praise the Dead“, a tune which has more of a free feel to it, as if recorded live on the floor with less control and a little more reckless abandon. There is more power in the crushing guitar work and the synths feel more dynamic and expansive as everything plays out at the tempo of the damned, making this a real highlight. The same can be said of “Scorched Earth” and the more involved riffage gives it earworm possibilities. Saving the best until last “The Blackest Night” is barnstorming conclusion to an album that started with a slow burn. A powerhouse cut that has greater balance than some of the earlier tunes, it has a scream-a-long chorus that no one saw coming. A record that gets stronger later on, this one has some very good ideas that don’t necessarily all come to fruition. That being said, it could easily wind up being a guilty pleasure of a record in your collection [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Bound in Blood
2. Depraved Lust
3. A Hymn for the End
4. Crimson Queen
5. Eternal Slumber
6. From the Beyond
7. Father of Lies
8. Judgement of the Damned
9. Praise the Dead
10. Scorched Earth
11. The Blackest Night

“Songs for the Dying” by Against I is out 29th November 2024 via Twisted Flesh Recordings and is available over at bandcamp