Death Metal sounds between the genre rebirth (something between 1989 and 1990) and the rise of the Second Wave of Black Metal (between 1993 and 1995) has an appeal that binds many fans and bands still today. The main reason for that is the burst of creativeness in those days, because USA, Sweden, UK and some other countries were breeding names that are still relevant and influences many others throughout these decades. So to say that DARK REDEEMER, from Italy, follows such trend isn't a blasphemy, but what is shown on "Into the Deep Black" demands attention.

They have a crude and aggressive insight on Old School Death Metal, similar to names as DISMEMBER, ENTOMBED and UNLEASHED (or, in other words, the Swedish Death Metal model), even using jigsaw sounded guitar riffs and the grunts defined by the Swedish ancients. But they play using creativeness, what makes them different, and they have keyboard-horror like parts to increase the nasty and somber ambience. And the way they play, even deserving some adjusts, is personal and good. The sonority was done having in mind the old, crude and aggressive sound that Death Metal showed on the past. But not emulating what was done, just preserving those elements. Of course some aspects could be done better in the future, but for those used to extreme Metal genres' expressions the sound production will deliver no problem to deal with.

There are nine very good songs on the album. And the brutality of "TMC" (pay attention on the contrasts between keyboards and guitar riffs), the not so fast tempos used on "Swallow the Cross" (an oppressive playing from bass guitar and drums, indeed), the climatic and worked outfit of "Christians" (fine grunts, indeed) and of "The Zombiemarch" (the slow tempos used reinforces the bitter and oppressive feeling), the crude aggressiveness of "Incubation" and the introspective and nasty insight used on "Burn Under the Blackened Sky (Valley of Death)" shows a band with potential to become great. It's just a matter of sharpening the band's efforts in a better way.

For now, welcome, DARK REDEEMER, I and hope that "Into the Deeper Black" and its appeal will open doors for them, and the next release of theirs will be a massive result.