From the famous city of Gothenburg, in the sunny South-West coast of Sweden, here is DEMOTIONAL, their second full-length album "Tarassis" will be released on November 28th thru Dead End Exit Records / RoastingHouse Records! Standing on the nicest edge of the Swedish Melodeath genre, DEMOTIONAL reveal his deep temper, with a new found method when it comes to reach captivating melodies and enhanced by a true sense in the balance between the ever changing moods and a recurrent captivating dynamics that last for the whole album. This fact is illustrated by a keen scheme, a rule directed in an impending creative force, crafted with the obvious matured and natural progression. Indeed, the debut album was promising, but not perfect. The title "State : In Denial" was symptomatic of their tormented identity even if the band was in an artistic dilema between harshness and a very attractive spirit in the sound and an almost commercial feel that was regularly noted in the running time of this first album, very similar to DEAD BY APRIL or SONIC SYNDICATE, in my humble opinion yet even more enjoyable !

"Tarassis" is fortunately set in a more frantic Metal mood, the opener cut "Hero in Me", immediately proves this fact, after a short electronic loop intro, things are kicking off in violent fashion, with its insane headbanging mode and stacatto riffery, enhanced by the antagonist vocals duet in the typical SOILWORK recipe! Second track "Illusions", is equally as tenacious but much more groovy and more melodic, but what i really dig, is the relative complexity which is still demanding for the listener, it stands among my personal favorites.

The strongest key factor is in the new coherency of sound is precisely this variety in the arrangement and structures, even if some reminiscences from the early times are here again with "Follow" and notably this cheesy as hell auto tune fx in the chorus! The density in the haunting clean vocals for "To the Gallows" are keeping the band in the right tracks, the middle breakdown section with gang choir and keyboard solo is the cherry on the cake, while "Neverland" is also quite related to DEMON HUNTER or MERCENARY, developing a slight Proggy atmosphere with a strong addictive hook!
"Broken Dreams" is clearly an attempt to reach the mainstream audience with its sticky anthemic refrain, but the instruments are still building under a solid slab of thick beat, playing a well crafted cadence driven by a powerful drums in the hype of the Modern Metal breed with a few Pop overtones : Read AMARANTHE!

DEMOTIONAL blows hot and cold, with "Star Without Fire" back to some ferocious colours mixed with subtle piano and ultra sharp drumming, while "Two Tales from Tarassis" is falling in the trap of a less audacious principle. The album closing cut "Miracles" is very similar in the vibes to their compatriots style from THE UNGUIDED pummelling sound, swirling keys and precise riffing... If I still regret some sonic choices in the production design, this record will be a surprise for many because of the straight approach while keeping an attractive appeal toward the fanatic of the more Melodic style, something that is right up my alley!<