Thursday, 22 January 2015

Paimon - Metamorphine (Elysian Records, 2005)


 Paimon - Metamorphine

Starting out as an intended Black Metal outfit back in the winter of 1997 this German band has evolved to become anything but that. During their course for existence up to “Metamorphine” they have released two demos and one album (“Terram oblivionis” released on MOS records back in 2001) being characterized back then by the media from melodic black to even Pagan metal. The strife for identity was to no avail though until “Metamorphine” where the band finally seems to settle as for the musical direction to take. Their sophomore release sees them throwing different elements from piano interludes to Russian folk into the Paimon cauldron with the resulting product being more or less Gothenburg induced death metal. Although not necessarily reinventing the wheel here, Paimon provide us with a good 45 minutes of melodic death wavering between mid and fast tempo passages whilst carrying that melodic edge in their songs. Boasting a dual guitar attack, Paimon don’t fall short as far as song structure and complexity are concerned. Songs exhibit a good fluidity throughout and the album as a whole presents a well-organised and fervent outcome. The production clear and impeccable is reminiscent of Dark Tranquility and In Flames fame. Acoustic guitars make their presence known at various parts of the album incorporating that distinct Folk element which becomes even more conspicuous on “Millenial Trouble” and the two instrumental tracks. So for all of you Gothenburg fetishists out there this could be a good time-filler until the next In Flames album comes out.

(originally written for Tartarean Desire - Summer 2005)

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