NIGHT IN GALES is a melodic death metal band from Germany, who formed in 1995. Their latest release, “Shadowreaper,” is their 9th full-length album; they have also released two EPs, two demos, a compilation and a split. NIGHT IN GALES are, to me, one of the most unsung heroes in melodic death metal. These guys have been kicking so much ass for so long. I know they have a good fanbase but I still feel they are underrated and it is a damn shame. I reviewed their previous two full-lengths and this latest one doesn't disappoint. Much of their appeal lies in their uncanny sense of melody, which is smoothly integrated into their faster paced parts. “Shadowreaper” continues this trend; it’s so perfectly balanced that its sound washes over and completely enthralls the senses. Are they abrasive? Are they melodic? Both? Either or? It doesn’t matter because the songs are crafted to a very fine point–catchy and memorable but razor sharp and deadly.

The production for the album captures the feeling of the glory days of the genre and reminds me of my formative days, first discovering my tastes and hearing melodic death for the first time. The opening song “Into The Evergrey,” is a perfect example of the album, and band, as a whole. It's melodic when needed but walks a more aggressive and faster pace path than a MDM tends to. The rhythm is very strong, both the bass and drums are a large part of the song's components. I like how the beginning of the song has a classic clean intro–it sounds lithe and regal. The clean instrumentation comes back near the end of the song and it is much welcome, especially since it sets up the rest of the song. Christian Müller’s vocals remain in top form, offering death growls, shouts, and screams that are abrasive but not overly.

“Open The Sun,” is highlighted by robust drums that hit hard and true, especially during the less speedy parts where the song allows the atmosphere to breathe. The lead guitar during the verses is a mice detail that helps move the song from one moment to the next. While still melodic in places, the riffs here have a more death metal oriented tone. It’s perfect for the pummeling the mid section brings and the vicious vocals that follow soon afterwards. “Spirals” moves with a purposeful energy, every instrument driving the song ever forward. The vocals growls their way through, offering a counterbalance to the melodic and catchy chorus. The bass slaps hard, offering a different take on the same dimension. The middle part of the song uses clean vocals, and they sound decent and fit right where needed. Blast beats around the 3:50 mark pushes the song into a punishing finish.

“Window To The End,” is tinged with sorrow and melancholy. Its balance between that sound and the death metal elements layer the song with a tragic atmosphere that has a defining, regal quality to it. The drums in the beginning are intricate, playing off the deep bass/riffs that are just groovy enough. The final song, “Walk of Infinity,” is loaded with a hectic sense of urgency and music that heads towards a finality that hints that death isn't truly the end. The harmonies between the guitars mix with the machine precision drums for a dramatic atmosphere. So many look at Sweden and Finland for melodic death but these Germans prove their country has more than enough to say. And let’s hope they never stop speaking because they keep getting better and better.

“Shadowreaper” is a testament to the strength of the modern day melodic death metal scene. These guys are as good as any of the other old school MDM bands and they still stand tall above anyone in the modern scene.