Sweedish three-piece MORDBRAND capture the sound and feel of the Death Metal their country has become known and respected for on their debut LP "Imago," released in May through Deathgasm Records. The album's fierce riffs and dark atmosphere are sure to please fans of classic Stockholm bands such as DISMEMBER and ENTOMBED.

The album is fairly consistent on a track-to-track basis, with an approach that is straightforward and to the point. The guitars sound raw and thick, backed by Johan Rudberg's ferocious drumming, with a production style highly reminiscent of the early-nineties. By the sound of it, this stuff could have literally been released at the same time as "Into The Grave" or "Like an Everflowing Stream."

The production doesn't make it easy to catch the lyrics delivered through Per Boder's spirited, manic growls, but the song titles are killer regardless. The music itself doesn't disappoint, either. Leadoff track "Revelate" sets the tone with its powerful mid-tempo thrashing and dark ambient effects before transitioning to the pummeling beat down that is "Join Them in Thralldom." "That Which Crawls" is a bit of a slower number that sacrifices none of the heaviness with its twisting, morbid riffs. MORDBRAND pick up the pace on the frantic "Their Name Are Myriads," which boasts one of just a few solos on the album, and it's a good one. "Hoarding The Grotesque" is one of the fastest tracks on the album, and its every bit as brutal as the title would imply. The creepy title track is another highlight, using a fairly simple melody and eerie ambient effects to great effect. Closing out the album, "Sever The Limbs That Grace" is a crushing, multi-sectioned piece that sums up the band's approach nicely, serving as a fitting conclusion to "Imago."

MORDBRAND's strong songwriting and musicianship, along with their old-school-influenced approach, make "Imago" a rather impressive debut. They do a good job giving a fresh spin to a classic sound. I'd recommend this to all fans of good, brutal Death Metal.