THE METAL TIMES: THE METAL TIMES : Sepulchral Curse (Finland)

Sepulchral Curse are Finland's best kept secret. They've retained the classic Finnish death metal traits of bands such as Demilich, Adramelech, Convulse, Demigod and expanded upon it in a way that's never been done before. The songs are meticulously composed, making them intricate and even unpredictable, but despite the vagaries there is an underlying groove that keeps everything together. Black metal influences seep through to add flavour to the proceedings as the songs keep undulating and showcasing different facets each time. The music ebbs and flows and the pace is always varying, as the vocalist barks and roars in tandem, depending on the mood. The album settles into murkier, doomier territories towards the end, not too dissimilar to Finnish label mates Lurk and Altar of Betelgeuze, but keeping its freshly forged sound intact through it all. This is an engrossing, fascinating album from Sepulchral Curse, one that gets better with each listen. It definitely counts as one of the best Finnish death metal albums ever produced.