FRANTIC AMBER were formed in 2008, and they are from Stockholm, Sweden. The melodic Death Metal outfit released one EP and now their third full-length album. “Death Becomes Her” was mixed and mastered by Lawrence Mackrory (DARKANE; FIRESPAWN; KATATONIA) at Rorysound Studios. The album has a length of about 50 minutes, and it has been released by Greek Hardrock and Metal specialists Roar / Rock Of Angels. It has been a while, since the last FRANTIC AMBER album “Bellatrix” has been released, an album, which has been much darker than their debut album “Burning Insight”. Since then, a lot of line-up changes happened especially in recent years. As the work on the new album had started already some time ago and a few songs have been released as singles in previous years, some of the former members have still contributed to some of the songs. Here, the actual line-up is listed. 

“Death Becomes Her” begins with the obligatory tension-building dark intro called “El Orfanato”, before the Death Metal onslaught really starts with a blast-beat thunderstorm. “Bloodbath” is a track at a measured tempo with punishing guitar riffing accompanied by relentless double-bass drumming. The vocals are growls and vary between the deep to medium end of the guttural range. “Bloodbath” has many subtle twists in rhythm, and all is put into a grim melodic framework with a few melancholic traces at times. In fact, the break for the lead guitar solo near the end is pretty doom-laden. “Black Widow” continues with the darkness and the blood-freezing melodies. It is more a mid-tempo track with thunderous guitar riffs and crushing basslines during the verse parts. The choruses emphasize on the dark melodic concept, and they are intensified by orchestral arrangements. The use of orchestral arrangements within the tracks is something new in the sound of FRANTIC AMBER, however, it is used sparsely and contributes very well to the track. The title track starts with a grim guitar-driven intro at a measured tempo with an almost stomping rhythm. It is almost a slow song during the verse and chorus parts, where focus is put creating a spine-chilling atmosphere, intensified by using the piano. As the track goes on, the doom and gloom is further enhanced by the strings, the choir, and the organs. Part of the track is performed with clean vocals accompanied by the blast-beats. “Death Becomes Her” is one of the album highlights and with almost seven minutes one of the longest album tracks.

The main melody of “Hell’s Belle” is introduced right at the beginning of the track. The guitar riffing is punishing at a measured tempo and a sluggish rhythm. The melodies are grim, but overall, the track has more aggression during the verse and chorus parts. The break leads to a very contributing lead guitar solo. The vocals use slightly higher growls compared to most other tracks. “Hell’s Belle” is all about darkness, but without a melancholic component. The track has been released as video, and the YouTube link is provided below. “Angel Maker” starts with thunderous guitar riffing at a measured tempo, leading into the verse part with tight guitar riffs. A short bridge raises pace and leads into the epic and almost anthemic chorus parts. The break is introduced by powerful guitar riffing and the double-bass drumming, followed by a sequence of growling and clean vocals. It all transitions into a lead guitar solo with grim and melancholic melodies. Eventually, the track circles smartly back into a final chorus part. “Angel Maker” is another track with around seven minutes playing time. “Jolly Jane” provides a marked change in sound. The track is aggressive, more direct, and fast, driven by the blast-beats and devastating guitar riffing. While most album songs focus on epic, melancholic, and dark melodies, nothing of this is part of “Jolly Jane”. It shows the more brutal and Thrash-inspired side of the band. The lead guitar solo is quite technical, also in contrast to most other album tracks. “Gore Candy” even raises brutality with a 50-seconds Deathgrind feature.

“The Butcheress” goes back to familiar FRANTIC AMBER territory. It is a mid-tempo track with tight guitar riffs, chilling but catchy melodies. There are twists and turns in tempo and rhythm between verse parts and bridges/chorus parts. The lead guitar solo offers grim and melancholic melodies. Altogether, “The Butcheress” is one of the catchier album tracks. “In The Garden Of Bones” has a slow start and develops into a track at measured tempo and, once again, a sluggish rhythm. It is a bit of a weirdo as there is an abrupt break after the first verse part, leading into an extended part with clean vocals accompanied by the guitar only. The track goes eventually back to its origin with a second verse part and a final short lead guitar solo. The album closes with the instrumental “Epitaphium”, which is driven by the guitars, and they provide one more time darkness to the listener. However, the final word has the piano.

FRANTIC AMBER deliver an album which shows their development as a band. “Death Becomes Her” is probably the most complex album in the band’s history. The album continues the journey of darkness that they started with the previous album. Devastating guitar riffs and blast-beats go hand in hand with doom-laden, epic, and melancholic melodies, featuring even symphonic Death Metal elements. The album sound is expertly kept together by an excellent vocalist Elizabeth Andrews, who is currently on top of her game. The songwriting is very mature. The album is well produced. “Death Becomes Her” is melodic Death Metal at its best quality and it is a must-have album for all Death Metal fans.