DEAD OR DREAMING

Into Eternity plays a mix of power and death metal. The vocals go back and forth between growls and clean sung vocals that utilize frequent harmonization. A death metal band in it's purest form, the group has a myopic focus on death; the lyrics and even the band's name and album titles brazenly display their morbid fixation, but sometimes it's hard to notice among the sheer melodicism of the material. It never feels like death metal. The riffs and solos constantly favor melody, and even the growled parts aren't surrounded with a dark aura.

But what's even more enigmatic than that is that somehow it never feels like anything special. It all seems very forced and it never feels compelling. The musicians are all skilled, yet it is possible that they are relying too heavily on their carnal abilities to do the work for them. Certainly at face value this is some quality music, but after you've been intrigued enough sit through the record, you feel nothing. I find it hard to believe that this is just another way the band brings out their death fetish.

This is an interesting formula (which the group will improve slightly on with their next record) which may be worth hearing, but don't be surprised if it leaves you cold.