Sometimes it is enjoyable to compare the similarities and differences of a solo project with work from bands the solo artists is a part of. Today is no different as today I present Dennis Blomberg (of THOSE WHO BRING THE TORTURE, who I recently reviewed) and his solo melodic death metal project DEPESEBLO and his first full length release Nightmare Desolation. Interspersed with countless similar sounds, and to an extension riffs, this album is sure to find a niche with fans who enjoy other similar acts such as INSOMNIUM, and so without further ado let us dive right in.

The album opens with "Odious and Obscene", and if I am brutally honest the song is rather bland. It is standard in its sound with somewhat upbeat riffs and a steady constant blast beat, sometimes interspersing a lead guitar sound that is really quiet and distant, and with an even more upbeat guitar solo. The vocals themselves are also nothing special if I am still honest, sounding rather bland and sitting within a rather narrow range. If one bases a general idea of the entire album on this song, it dramatically paints a picture of blandness that seems recycled from at least a few other bands. As for "On the Edge of Insanity", the largest separating factor is a higher degree of melody and a lead guitar that sounds far more noticeable. Besides a slightly slower tempo that might not be apparent if one is not listening for it, the same going for the lead guitar, this song feels again like same old thing.

Next I will focus on the namesake of the album, "Nightmare Desolation". Initially it does feel bland again, however this does change with the chorus. We see a far clearer expansion of vocal styles and a far more interesting overall sound. The verses are admittedly bland, though I will give the benefit of the doubt in that the difference between a rhythm and lead guitar is noticeable during the chorus and there is a difference in the verses. However, with all these facts in mind the song is decent or not bad at best. Generally speaking, a namesake song of an album, whether literally or metaphorically when based upon an overall story, is supposed to be a shining song that stands above the rest. The problem is that it is, and it isn't that amazing. Finally the album ends in "From Present to Destruction", the opening of which is admittedly fairly enjoyable as sci-fi-esque sounds play in the background. Yet the song does not vary too greatly from start to end, the song perhaps containing 4 passages that are cycled and an alarm siren thrown in near the end for effect. There are sections that are enjoyable such as a guitar riff near the end, but overall this song is in a similar state as "Nightmare Desolation" in that it is decent at best but that it is easier and quicker to point out positives than to list negatives.

Ultimately, the best rating I can give is decent at best or boring at worst. It will doubtless be found to be decent by others but it is not an album I can highly recommend for a sound that feels far too recycled.