A path that is being used a lot for many bands to become different from the greater part into Death Metal scene is the so-called Melodic Death Metal. But even inside of it, there are many different insights used. And there are bands that only do the most simple work they can on the style, and gets the best results, as this excellent German quintet called SCARNIVAL, that after an EP released on 2012 (that has the name of the band), now returns with a full album, the great "The Art of Suffering".

First of all: they do just a simple way into Melodic Death Metal, reminding a lot the earlier days of the style, of bands like SENTENCED on "Amok" and IN FLAMES on "Lunar Strain" eras. It's not experimental, and not highly technical (they play with technique, but it's not a Death Metal version of DREAM THEATER, please) just a Death Metal band with some melodic insight. Very good vocals (using low tunes and some shrieked screams), strong and excellent riffs and very good solos, and a technical and heavy rhythmic work done by bass guitar and drums. And they really has a very energetic work, with a good personality flowing from the speakers. And speaking about the sound that comes from our speakers, it's a high quality sound quality we found here. Clear, heavy, and aggressive as the band's musical work needs, you can expect a great work to be heard.

"The Easy Solution" (thunderous and aggressive, with fine guitar riffs and good vocals), the melodic and not so technical "Hindsight" (with some great introspective moments and catching tempos, and an excellent work done by bass and drums), the incredible "Losing Identity" (a very good song, with fine melodies and perfect choruses), the energetic "Rewind", and the excellent "Pathetic" (with that same feeling from older Melodic Death Metal bands) can be pointed as their finest moments.

A fine revelation from the Melodic Death Metal scene!