Sweden has a trademark in Metal: the bands from there aren't influenced anymore, but they are leaders that influence a vast range of bands throughout the world. This fact began when BATHORY started to spread darkness on the 80s, but the coming of the second generation of Death Metal bands, Swedish Metal School became respected. Today, from Hard Rock and AOR to the most brutal form of extreme Metal, all Metal genres bloom in Sweden. One new good name comes from there: LETTERS FROM THE COLONY, a quintet from the city of Borlänge that arrives with their first album, "Vignette".

Imagine a mix between the Math Metal technical and modern insight of MESHUGGAH done with the melodic strength of OPETH and GOJIRA. These elements bound together create a technical and bitter form of music, but it bears as well some slower, clean and introspective parts that enrich their work. It isn't easy to assimilate at first, but when you become use to it, it will seduce you. The sound quality is almost perfect. But as we seen the name of Jens Bogren signing the production and mastering of the album, it becomes obvious that we'll have a great sonority. Iin the case of "Vignette", it aligns clearness in a high level with modern and aggressive tunes, and it's what the quintet needed for their music.

The complexity and weight shown on "Vignette" is a promising mark for the future. The contrast between Progressive introspective parts with harsh Math Metal moments shown on "Galax" (an abrasive song with very good tempo changes, what reveals a good technical work on bass guitar and drums), the modern bitter feeling that is shown on the harmonies of "The Final Warning", the apocalypse that binds together good melodies and an aggressive insight of "Cataclysm", the musical catharsis that is revealed on the guitars of "Terminus", and the long and chaotic travel between Math/Progressive elements of "Vignette" (even some saxophone moments can be heard) are fine samples of a new name that can be great in the future.

When they evolve a bit more, LETTERS FROM THE COLONY will be a great name in the future. For now, "Vignette" is a very good album, indeed.