Satariel is a Swedish death metal band, founded back in 1993 by Par Johansson, Mikael Degerman and Magnus Alakangas (while Michael Granqvist joined the band later for the first demo). They recorded two demo-tapes, Thy Heavens' Fall (mid-tempo black metal) in 1994, Hellfuck in 1995, and a Promo in 1996.
After some changes in the line-up, they came to record their debute album Lady Lust Lilith in 1997, under Pulverised Records. After a period of inactivity, a new promo was made in 2000 that resulted in signing to Hammerheat Records, under which came the Phobos and Deimos album...
Satariel's newly released album, Phobos and Deimos, contains eleven really dynamite tracks, combining rough and heavy guitar riffs with melodic passages of keyboards.
Brutality binds perfectly with tranquility, something that is more than evident in Johansson's vocals as well. Each song is worked in detail without leaving any room for particular flaws, while there is such a variety in the interchangeable riffs that keeps one stimulated for further listening.
The participation of Messiah Marcolin (ex Candlemass and Memento Mori) as a guest vocalist, adds another point to the whole positive image of the album, and his vocals infuse the album with a glamorous shade from the past.
Last but not least, the outstanding production of Daniel Bergstrand (Strapping Young Lad, Devin Townsend) provides with a very high quality sound!
Fierce, melodic, well balanced, with interesting lyrics, this album will satisfy not only fans of this specific metal genre, but everyone who is open to the extreme but also melodic metal scene.