When acts as CARCASS in England and AT THE GATES, DARK TRANQUILLITY, and IN FLAMES on Sweden kick started Melodic Death Metal in the middle of the first half of the 90s, the genre was still brutal and aggressive, and the melodies were adornments to temper things up. But as time passed by, thing in the genre became more and more elaborated, so some acts tried to bring things nearer Death Metal again (as usual for AMON AMARTH). But some prefer to experiment things up in a way that held ground on Death Metal, as the Italian quintet DESECRATE depicts on "Lights of Contradiction". The band works on a trend on Melodic Death Metal that keep both feet on the formula used on the 90s, but using some experimental elements as clean vocals (as heard on "Spectrum" and "Clear as a Crystal"), keyboards orchestrations and effects, broken rhythms, but always sounding as a Death Metal act.

So the listener has the idea that they're using the model of Melodic Death Metal of the past, but trying to use their own personality to expand sound possibilities and limits. It's not a sin to think that they have an experimental sight similar to EDGE OF SANITY during "Unorthodox" and "The Spectral Sorrows", what isn't an offense. It's brutal and aggressive, but tempered and mature, and full of an aura of honesty and personality permeating the album's songs. The album's sonority depicts the fact that they're a different Melodic Death Metal act, as it is defined with everything on its due place, but distorted and bearing the same distorted and raw appeal usual for the genre. It can be said that wisdom guided the band on the studio, for everything is near perfection, indeed.

It's almost impossible to choose better tracks or moments on "Lights of Contradiction" due the homogeneity of the songs (they seem that the quintet really worked hard on writing process during the pandemic). It's just a matter of taking a bit on "Trust" (a mastodonic and aggressive outfit modeled by excellent melodies and experimental keyboards parts and slid bass guitar playing), "Spectrum" (the contrasts between aggressive moments with noir-like moments with clean vocals is amazing, and what lovely melodies), "Clear as Crystal" (that has resemblances with the previous song, but with a more melancholic outfit created by keyboards and better settled guitar work on riffs and leads), "Phobia" (a song with contrasts with melancholic moments with some traits similar to Folk Rock being presented with Industrial/Gothic Rock-like elements), "Now" (here some rhythms and guitars are using arrangements inherited from early Prog Death Metal, conducted by a solid and weighty drumming), "Time" (the abrasive feeling of the guitars' tunes creates the right socket for the keyboards and vocals fit), and...listen to the entire album, because even the songs used as singles ("Burning Books", "In His Image", and "Obscure Times") are as excellent as the others. Don't be lazy.

"Lights of Contradiction" is really a fine surprise, so don't be lazy and lying on bands that aren't worthy (those who are living off their pasts, as pimps), and give a chance to DESECRATE's music (better said, give a chance for yourself).