J-Man With their third full-length album, Italy's Disguise provides a solid mix of black and death metal that's more than likely to satisfy fans of both genres. Second Coming isn't the sort of release that shatters too many boundaries, but the band's firm grasp on how to create high-quality extreme metal is evident throughout the entire album. Although I would like to see Disguise expand a bit further on their experimental side with future efforts, Second Coming is a very competent album when all is said and done.

Disguise's sound relies mainly on black metal in the vein of Mayhem, but there are also plenty of downtuned death metal riffs reminiscent of bands like Deicide, Morbid Angel, and Entombed. Factor in a few melodic and symphonic touches in the vein of Dimmu Borgir and Septic Flesh, and the music that you'll hear on Second Coming is pretty well represented. While the idea of 'blackened death metal' (or 'deathened black metal', in this case) is hardly anything new, the melodic aspect of Disguise's songwriting and liberal use of keyboards sets them apart from many of their fellow, more brutal blackened death metal acts. I still wouldn't venture to call this anything revolutionary, but Second Coming is a very well-played, professionally produced, and engaging album. These Italian lads have plenty of chops, and the talent of the musicians involved is never questioned throughout the duration of this album.

Even though Second Coming may not be an essential masterpiece, it's a damn good blackened death metal album that incorporates enough melodic elements to set Disguise apart from many of the genre's pioneers. This is an exceptionally well-made album and a solid recommendation to fans of dark, heavy, and brutal extreme metal that still manages to incorporate a few modern and melodic trends.