DESTINITY hailing from Lyon, France were formed in 1996. They started their career as Black Metal band, went into symphonic Black and Death Metal and moved into melodic Death Metal in recent years. Altogether they released eight full-length albums and one DVD. Full-length album number nine "In Continuum" is the first release since 2012. It was mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren at Swedish Blacklounge Studio and has a length of more than 51 minutes. The album was released via new French Death/Black Metal label Crimson Productions.

DESTINITY have never been shy in crossing musical boundaries, however, looking into their releases during the last decade, they have established some continuity in their sound. What they had started with their 2012 album "Resolve In Crimson" has continued with "In Continuum": a Gothenburg type of melodic Death Metal. The album starts with "The Sand Remains" and there is no doubt of the direction the album is heading to from the first riffs: traditional Melodic Death guitar riffing, epic melodies during the chorus sections at mid-tempo, a lot of double-bass drumming and a few blast-beat attacks, an extended lead guitar solo, and growling vocals which are around the medium end of the guttural range. The tempo is changing throughout, there are faster parts mainly during the verse sections and there are a few slower parts during the middle break. "The Sand Remains" also includes a few symphonic arrangements, but they are pretty much in the background. The track is mainly carried by the epic melodies at a measured tempo.

"Reject The Deceit" is a classic Melodic Death track at around mid-tempo and the guitars are the leading instruments here. The melodies are melancholic, but catchy in particular during the chorus sections. "Reject The Deceit" is the official video release and the YouTube link is given below. "Reflections" is one of the faster song on the album with mid-tempo breaks during the choruses. It keeps the traditional Melodic Death framework of melodies, riffing, and structure, and it often reminds on the melodic Death Metal Greats like DARK TRANQUILITY or AT THE GATES. "Shadow" goes even deeper into the abyss of melancholy and gloom with a very effective break including a spoken word passage.

DESTINITY are very smart to mix things up. After all the doom and gloom in "Shadow", "Dawn Never Breaks" is fast and dynamic, but it does maintain the epic melodic framework. The riffing is more direct, and the drumming is more blast-beat driven. However, "Dawn Never Breaks" has also its melancholic counterpoint at a slow tempo which is supported by symphonic arrangements in the background. The opening of "Architect Of Light" has a bit more aggression and the guitar riffing is clearly Thrash Metal oriented. The track quickly goes back into the familiar Melodic Death territory, which is a bit unfortunate, since I think that maintaining the Thrash vibes would have benefitted the song and the album.

The middle part of the album is the fastest with "A Lucid Strain" and "Snakepit" belonging to those faster tracks. After an acoustic opening, "A Lucid Strain" transitions into a sharp and straightforward guitar riffing with the drumming driving the track. The chorus part has the typical epic mid-tempo melodies which nicely fit in. The lead guitar solo is very contributing and comprehensive. "A Lucid Strain" is one of the album highlights. "Snakepit" has the fast and aggressive parts during the verse section, while the chorus parts are measured with a lot of melancholic melodies. The album closes with the almost nine minute long "Salvation" which is a good summary of an album that is driven by epic melodies and melancholy.

"In Continuum" is a very good melodic Death Metal album. It is driven by a Gothenburg type of Melodic Death sound where the guitars are the leading instruments. The melodies are epic and the sound is often melancholic. The tempo of the songs is mixed up very well, which keeps the album fresh. DESTINITY do not reinvent the wheel, they stick to the traditional melodic Death Metal formula with a very strong Swedish, but also Finnish influence. The strength of the album is not so much the originality, it is rather the quality of all the instruments and the vocals. The album is well produced. "In Continuum" is a release for all melodic Death Metal fans who will definitely dig the album.