PATH OF DESTINY is a Symphonic/Melodic Death/Black Metal band from Germany. Formed in 2007, this is the band's second full length album, and contains eleven tracks. "The Awakening" is a brief introductory instrumental with a haunting piano melody and light orchestration. It's like witnessing the proverbial calm before the storm, which is fitting as it ends in a thunderclap. What follows in "Invocation" is the storm itself. The song is maddeningly fast and angry, from the punishing drumming, deep Death vocals and high pitched screams. Stylistically it fits more in the Death Metal than Black Metal realm for me, but the background symphonic elements and changing riffs really give it a fresh sound. Doomy elements are sprinkled in as well. "Embers" brings a bit of a slower, marching pace where the orchestration has a little more presence. Nobility is what comes to mind when I listen to this. It could be the chosen song for a Lich King taking his coronation.
 
"Reign of the Ravenous" has a galloping riff that moves up and down the fretboard and also gives way to some deep horn blows. The discernible chorus is great. It slows down and lets you breathe it in fully. You can really hear strong symphonic elements in "The Fire-Lit Shadow," complete with some harmonic guitars which bring the Melodic Death Metal genre into play a bit more. This song makes Death Metal very palatable to the inexperienced or perhaps dubious listener, especially the culminating ending. The title track, "Dreams in Splendid Black," is nearly seven minutes in length and is an epic composition in many ways, utilizing several differing passages and as much varied instrumentation as possible. This is a song you need to listen to a few times to be able to take it all in properly.
 
"Within the Void" trades strings and horns with thundering double bass and a fast picked main guitar riff. This one comes at you a bit straighter and doesn't require much thinking. "I, Ascending from the Ashes" is similar, though the addition of a chorus where the vocals register close to the clean side add some variation. The orchestration in the background and lead guitar parts keep some melody on the plate as well. "Death's Dominion" closes the album. A Middle-Eastern influence can immediately be heard from the sitar that opens the song. Not long after the intro the main melody comes into play and this is a strong way to wrap things up. Overall I was impressed with the album, and the way they are able to keep the Death Metal elements as prominent as they are, while expanding the sound with harmonic guitars and orchestration.