Swedish doom metallers ANGUISH are celebrating their 10^th year with their 3^rd full length release, "Magna est vis Siugnah." I love a good doom metal album, and what we get here is a modern approach to the genre laced with that classic dark and brooding sound we love so much. Underneath it all though we do hear some interesting and more groove metal (I use the term very loosely here) chugging riffs, but they are limited in appearance. The album retains a slow paced funeral march type feel, but it is great to hear the variety from these now-veterans.

"Blessed Be The Beast" opens things off with one of my favorite riffs of the album, and showcases the immediate aforementioned variety. The guitar work is rhythmic and quick, and not quite what was expected to begin the album but it works seamlessly and immediately engages the listener.

Title track "Magna Est Vis Suignah" follows with a much more slow pace and more grand chorus, highlighted by a dissonant and vague melody underneath the powerful harsh vocals from J. Dee. I love Dee's presentation here in particular (he's fantastic throughout). He performs the vocals in a way that almost sounds like he's shouting or preaching, which lends perfectly to the dark, depressing, and foreboding tone of the song (and album). It almost feels prophetic at times, a statement is being made and it's quite good. We also get a howling scream at 6:25 that is just wonderful, dark, and chilling.

Unfortunately, the instrumentals don't always quite match the depth and layer of the vocals and can fall into a bit of monotony, but they do consistently drive the song forward and never fall behind.

Track 3 and 11 ½ minute epic "Of The Once Ravenous" is a bold and dark attempt at grandeur, including some semi-cleans that sound more like Tibetan chanting. However, the song does ultimately fall short in providing anything new to the genre, which generally you should try to do in a song that long. But for die-hard enthusiasts of the genre with the patience to enjoy the artful nature of the track, there is plenty here to love.

The back half of the album follows suit, providing a slow funeral march pace with a lot of art and not a lot of new, but it's very well done. Track 5 "Elysian Fields of Fire" has some unmistakable death metal riffs and is my favorite track after the opener.

"Magna Est Vis Suignah" is a solid entry from these Swedish doom metal veterans, and I wouldn't expect anything less from ANGUISH or the country of Sweden. What is it about those guys producing the best metal bands? In any case, hats off to ANGUISH on a solid 3^rd full length that healthily pushes their career forward.