With necessarily being one of the early lions that reemerged, there are past exports that shouldn't be ignored. For me it happened by chance with the Swedish Melodic Death Metal band SARCASM, featuring members of FIRESPAWN / SKINEATER / IMPERIAL DOMAIN. As if lost in a storm, only to return one day from exile, the band came back to action two years ago and here they are again, as if they never left. By chance I landed on their new album, "Within the Sphere Of Ethereal Minds", via Dark Descent Records, a follower to "Burial Dimensions", which was also released just a year ago. Frankly, I thought that their SARCASM's style of Death Metal succumbed to a bitter fate, but was more than pleased to find out there was still a glimmer of hope, maybe more than just a mere glimmer, possibly a factor that is here to stay.

Malevolence, an ancient nature of evil affected this release on every turn. Throughout this journey it felt so natural for these guys to play an old school morbid harmony, with nothing sounding forced or graveling to please others, true as it can be. SARCASM aren't uncanny in their efforts, they have been drawing the same influences as their counterparts in the game, counterparts that became icons such as DARK TRANQUILLITY / CEREMONIAL OATH / AT THE GATES / DISSECTION with a closer attention to melodies, hook-laden harmonies, blackened grinds, electrifying atmosphere and catchy riffages. Between the mostly fast to slow tempos, SARCASM proved to be the real thing, ascertaining the magic that seemed to have lost its path.

The featured guitar playing caught me first, as expected when it comes to a melodic musical entity. Whether twin guitar harmonies, fast paced melodic tremolo action or even the few solos that emerged here and there, it felt sensational and spot on. Along with the thundering drumming, at times a storm was raging, harnessing the frost to create a juggernaut monster. Within the mythical whirlwinds of ice, arose crushing rhythm guitar riffs, which conveyed several headbangable examples, and demonic vocals with a tight embrace. I believe that you will find yourself swept within the standouts "In the Grip of Awakening Times" and "Silent Waves Summoned Your Inner Being" in particular, catching a breath before the next in line storm.

In general, "Within the Sphere Of Ethereal Minds" bestows high quality songs that are a cause effect of experienced and creative musicians. There wasn't even a slightest purpose to achieve innovation, but rather to recreate an old shell that once was a power hold, a surge for others to follow and respect. Today SARCASM gained a new fan, that is certain.