DISSECTION — Reinkaos (review)

Album · 2006 · Melodic Death Metal

4/5 · 2020-11-04
UMUR

"ReinkaΩs" is the 3rd full-length studio album by Swedish death/black metal act Dissection. The album was released through Black Horizon in April 2006. It´s been quite a few years since the release of "Storm of the Light's Bane (1995)", but that is due to the incarceration of bandleader/vocalist/guitarist Jon Nödtveidt after he was convicted as an accessory to murder in 1997. After his release from prison in 2004, Nödtveidt resurrected Dissection with a new lineup. In addition to Nödtveidt playing guitar and singing, the lineup consists of Set Teitan (guitars, backing Vocals), and Tomas Asklund (drums). The bass is handled by session musician Brice Leclercq. "ReinkaΩs" would be the last Dissection album as Nödtveidt committed suicide in August 2006 only a few months after the release of the album.

None of the above real life chaos can be heard or detected on "ReinkaΩs". Sure the lyrics are dark and occult themed and Dissection aren´t exactly happy campers, but the material on "ReinkaΩs" are tightly delivered and cleverly contructed. Compared to the two predecessors "ReinkaΩs" is only partially black metal oriented. To my ears the music in fact has more in common with melodic death metal, than it has with black metal. Early In Flames often comes to mind, although the use of melody is generally a bit more restrained on "ReinkaΩs", than what their fellow melodeath countrymen produced in their early years. There are also both thrash metal and traditional heavy metal traits featured on the album, and the sound on "ReinkaΩs" is overall an intriguing combination of various stylistic elements. The occasional ethnic Scandinavian folk melody also creeps in.

The quality of the 11 tracks on the 43:01 minutes long album is high throughout. This sounds quite different from the first two albums by Dissection, but the band have managed to create a new sound which is both powerful, sophisticated, and intriguing. "ReinkaΩs" is a pretty riff heavy release, and several of those riffs are killer. Their former ultra melodic black/death metal sound has been toned down a bit, and and while there are still melodic leads, and some quite brilliant melodic guitar solos featured on the album, the use of melody is a bit more restrained here and heavy riffs have taken over. Nödtveidt´s snarling raspy vocals have to great effect been placed high in the mix.

"ReinkaΩs" features a powerful, clear, and detailed sound production, which suits the music perfectly. So upon conclusion this is a high quality release in all departments and a great comeback for Dissection. I can understand those who feel that the sound on "ReinkaΩs" is too far removed from the sound on their two 90s albums and that they almost sound like a completely different act, but to my ears the high quality of the album is a major redeemer. If you set your expectations right, and don´t think too much about the band´s past releases, this is a great quality release and a 4 - 4.5 star (85%) rating is deserved.