SOULSKINNER were formed in 2000, and they are from Athens, Greece. They are a Death Metal band and “Glorified By The Light” is their sixth full-length album. It has a length of more than 39 minutes, and it was released via Spanish label Xtreem Music, which has many Death, Thrash, and Black Metal bands among their current roster. The album starts with a classical piano intro, transitioning into “The Wanderer”, which is the beginning of the Death Metal onslaught. “The Wanderer” is a fast track with crushing guitar riffs, a lot of blast-beats, and growling vocals, which vary between the low and medium end of the guttural range. The melodies are grim and have melancholic features at times. There are a few twists towards mid-tempo, but it is mainly a fast track. “Kingdom Of The Deceased” keeps going with the pace and the dark melodic framework. In both tracks, there are few KATAKLYSM inspirations notable in terms of the melodies. “Kingdom Of The Deceased” has many epic and melancholic vibes present. There are a few tempo and rhythm changes throughout. The extended lead guitar solo is the highlight of the track. “Kingdom Of The Deceased” was released as lyric video, and the YouTube link is provided below. The KATAKLYSM vibes continue with the title track. Dark melodies embedded in blast-beat attacks, deep-lying growls at a fast tempo during the verse parts, and epic chorus parts at a measured tempo during the chorus parts. Another extended and very contributing lead guitar solo is one of the highlights. “Glorified By The Light” is one of my favorite album tracks.

 “Mighty Titans” starts with a fast and extended guitar part, leading into the verse part at a measured tempo and a sluggish rhythm. The riffing is thunderous and powerful supported by a lot of double-bass drumming. A short bridge leads into the epic and anthemic chorus part. Listening to the lead guitar solo, I would say, the track has even a few ballad-esque features, if the tempo would not switch to a crazy pace right after the solo. “The Freedom Of Truth” has a bit more directness and it comes with a lot of pace. The riffing is tight but also leaves room for playfulness. The melodies are grim and melancholic. There is a lot of double-bass drumming, and a few blast-beats present during the track. Again, the vibes remain the same with the big difference that SOULSKINNER add cool and contributing lead guitar solos to their tracks. Apart from that, I sometimes think, I am listening to “Serenity In Fire” from the Canadian Northern Hyperblast specialists. “The Arrows Of My Desire” is a slow and melancholic track with a few progressive vibes in the guitars. It is something like a power ballad with epic chorus parts.

“Sacred Temple Of Mystery” starts with direct and aggressive riffing at mid-tempo, supported by the double-bass drumming. It transitions quickly into a fast verse part with crunching bass lines. The riffing remains direct, also during the mid-tempo chorus parts. The melancholy in the melodies is introduced by the break and the lead guitar solo. However, “Sacred Temple Of Mystery” is among the most aggressive album tracks. “To The Moon” returns to the well-tried album sound, it is a mixture of fast and melodic verse parts, fast bridges, and more epic chorus parts with melancholic melodies. The break slows down for another contributing lead guitar solo at a measured tempo. The album closes with “To Aurora” and this is a slow and doom-laden track with very different vibes compared to the rest of the album. The melodic framework is bone-chilling, epic, and melancholic, but more in a sense of early 90s Doom Metal. It is with more than six minutes the longest album song and a good way to end the album.

SOULSKINNER deliver a good Death Metal album. “Glorified By The Light” has its focus on a grim, epic, and melancholic melodic framework. This is the backbone of the album with a few twists either towards a doomier or a more traditional Death Metal sound. Many of the songs are fast, but with a good mixture of mid-tempo, measured or even slower tempo. SOULSKINNER have their role models and use their inspirations for their songs. The album is well produced. “Glorified By The Light” is an album for Death Metal fans, who like it melodic, grim, and melancholic.