Swedish Metal gave contributions to the genre that can't be measured, even for the best intellectuals in the genre. One of them is the creation of Melodic Death Metal by AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES and DARK TRANQUILITY. The genre spread its talons throughout the world, and even with the complaints of the conservative Metalheads, it came to stay. And it's good to hear a work from a band as MYGRAIN, from Finland (another strong School of the genre), because "V" is really a great release.

Their music is influenced by traditional Gothenburg Melodic Death Metal, instead from Finnish ones (besides some influences can be heard on some moments, as in the beginning of "Fathomless Freefall"). The music bears the known mix of Death Metal aggressiveness, but the melodic parts are nearer Progressive Rock than traditional Heavy Metal (especially during some parts with clean vocals, as can be heard on "The Nightmare"), some touches with refined technical insight, but always with a great energy and a strong personal touch. It's modern, heavy and truly hooking, indeed.

On the sound quality of the album, it must be said that it's really very good, using the same model that SOILWORK uses on its latest releases (a clean and defined sonority, but with the aggressiveness coming from the instrumental tunes and the way the band plays), guarantying that they can be heard and understood. A great work from Juho Räihä, indeed.

A great point on the band's work: they're not using anything from Modern Metal influences, keeping their Melodic Death Metal work a bit more in the traditional way, and expanding limits in this way. That can be heard clearly on songs as "The Nightmare" and "Out of This Life" (both of them balancing the melodies and aggressiveness, and what a great technical work from bass guitar and drums), the melancholic feeling from the ambience of "Summoned Duality" (amazing catchy elements, and what a great vocals presence, both on the aggressive moments or in the clean singing), the slow approach used on "Haunted Hearts", that catchy Melodic Death Metal parts heard on "The Calling", some Pop Rock influences heard in the silk melodies of "Game of Gods", the clear touch of Finnish Melodic Death Metal school that appears on "Fathomless Freefall", and the giant and catchy experimental/Progressive touches heard on "Waves of Doom" (this one shows excellent guitars, both on riffs and solos). In reality, the entire album is great!

MYGRAIN can be seen as the new great name of Melodic Death Metal, and it's an amazing name for those who misses the balanced days from the bands spoken above. "V" is proof of that!