DEAD END is a Dutch old school Death Metal band that fuses elements of Doom with their creation. Their newest record, "Reborn From The Ancient Grave", being released after a long lapse of time remains just as fascinating as their previous work. Obviously, with melancholic guitar shreds and harsh vocals, mid-tempo drumming, with depressive strokes like early ANATHEMA, PARADISE LOST and a bit of MY DYING BRIDE (mind you), the record is certainly worth a listen.

"Reborn From The Ancient Grave" has an atmospheric intro and with "Dead End (Reborn)" the band marks the rebirth of the Death / Doom pact. "Trail Of Despair" has down tuned guitars and decent drumming, highly driven by the touches of various early similarities such as ANATHEMA and PARADISE LOST. "Mea Culpa" is a great example of the above mentioned doom metal bands, with a faster ending. The tracks "Haze Of Lies" and "Trail Of Despair" include accelerating song structures as well, so you won't find yourself listening to the same pattern throughout.

The track "Wither" sounds a bit atmospheric, ultimately a tight one. There's a striking solo in "Another Weakness" and the atmospheric parts in "Nails Of The Martyr" is pure beauty.  The final track, "Wearing The Cloak" is a real ending piece, the guitar and drumming here is worth mentioning.

It would appear that the old relics are back in the fold, trying to resurface their old manners into nowadays fold. Even when not overly amazing, there is class behind the chunky punches of old.