In Extreme Metal styles, Sweden has a strong and old tradition. Since the arrival of BATHORY, the country has brought many bands from Death and Black Metal. Names as ENTOMBED, DISMEMBER, MARDUK, UNLEASHED, DISSECTION and many others stated that Swedish Extreme Metal scene is strong and can brings us many bands. So we can say that the quartet VANHELGD is an heir of this tradition, and their new album "Temple of Phobos" is here to proof this statement. The play that earlier and nasty way of Doom Death Metal in the Swedish way we all know, but with some touches of Death/Black Metal in the old school way. OK, I already know that this style is eroded due the abusive use of the formula on the 90s, but the quartet shows some good and darkened melodies in some parts, and a personal way of playing their songs. They create something in this way, without caring for limits or opinions. They do what they want, and the result is an aggressive and energetic form of music.

The sound quality of "Temple of Phobos" is raw and nasty, and besides it is not bad as my words could mean, because you can understand what they are playing, and this production is what fits on the work. Yes, VANHELGD music sounds pretty good in this way, but they could have chosen better tunes. So, we can say that Joona Hassinen (recording, mixing) and Tore Stjerna (mastering) did a good job. Having Sofia Kempe on female vocals and Jan-Helge Henriksen on trumpet as guests, we can say that this album is really very good, and we can say that their best shots are the excellent ones "Lamentation of the Mortals" and "Rebellion of the Iniquitous" (this one with bitter slow tempos, very good vocals and great rhythmic changes), the gloomy and slow "Den Klentrogenes Klagan" (very good guitars, reinforcing the morbid feeling that we can feel on it), the sinister "Gravens Lovsång", and the long and depressive "Allt Hopp Är Förbi" (with more than 12 minutes, so be prepared for some good tempo changes, great guitar riffs and excellent vocals). Hope they'll be back soon!