Since the coming of the First Wave of Melodic Death Metal acts from Gothenburg on the 90s (namely AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES and DARK TRANQUILITY, and the sequence given by THE HAUNTED), the genre evolved a lot, with bands getting nearer of Metalcore (as happened with SOILWORK and IN FLAMES), but it doesn’t mean that Melodic Death Metal lost its grasp or strength. And depicting the roots of Swedish Melodic Death Metal, here is LEACH, back for another round with “New Model of Disbelief”, the band’s fourth full-length.

Once more, the quartet relied on Christian Silver (who previously worked with acts as DRACONIAN, ABLAZE MY SORROW, LAKE OF TEARS, THE CROWN, BLOODTHORN, LOTHLORIEN, OLD MAN'S CHILD, TIAMAT, and on LEACH’s past album, “Lovely Light of Life”) for doing the recording, mixing and mastering, who gave the album a modern and solid sonority that fits on Melodic Death Metal models (and is always from Metalcore), with sharp and dry instrumental tunes, with everything clear to the ears, but aggressive and full of impact. As mentioned above, the music shown on “New Model of Disbelief” is focused on a traditional form of Swedish Melodic Death Metal, with a charming balance between aggressiveness and brutality of Death Metal with excellent melodies (especially on the guitars arrangements and on the choruses of the songs). On other hand, one can check that the album is plenty of influences of Thrash Metal and Swedish Death Metal, creating a personal appeal for the band’s music. And it’s full of energy, so what’s you expecting for?

All the nine songs of the album are excellent, but one can have a deep idea of what the album is up to with “Gone to Waste” (the opening song, and it’s filled with excellent melodies and Thrash Metal touches, with a massacre imposed by the guitars on the riffs, but with charming solos), “Under Siege” (some Swedish Melodic Death Metal elements are clear in many moments, especially on the rhythms, where bass guitar and drums are creating a solid and worked wall hard to break), “Slice of Life” (a perfect song for live shows due some Thrash ‘n’ Roll touches under the oppressive weight, with perfect melodic hooks, with snarls filing the spaces), “Pulse of a Revolution” (a fine technical work is heard on this one, a shellshock of aggressiveness and brutality shaped with Thrash Metal touches), “Nocebo” (another moments with Thrash ‘n’ Roll hooks), “Chemical God” (here a Groove Thrash Metal set of elements can be heard) and “Apathetic” will do the job.

LEACH is here to stay, and praise their musical efforts shown on “New Model of Disbelief”. They deserve it!