After twelve years, several lineup changes and a series of demos, Croatian band TEARLESS are finally set to release their debut album, "Step Into Darkness." The band sound as battle-tested as they do majestic on this powerful new release.

As mentioned before, TEARLESS have been around for a while, so it's not very surprising that they play with the authority of a mature, tenured act, though the skill they display might be. The synth-backed crunch of their guitars, along with the muscular drum work behind the kit by Miran Špičko, proves more than adaptable to any situation, as songs like "Deathwish" and "Fallen We Are" deliver some of the most dark and captivating Gothic Metal this side of PARADISE LOST. They manage to balance the strong melodic elements that guide the music with their harsher, Extreme Metal tendencies, resulting in a mix of songs that keeps you on your toes without getting too far out of the listener's comfort zone.

At the center of this effort is Ivana Novak, whose powerful vocals sound right at home amongst the clamor of the band's metallic assault. Her talents are showcased early often throughout the release, and on tracks like "Inside Your Raven Eyes" and the melancholic "As She Leaves Me All Alone," her voice is strong and resonant enough to demand the listener's full attention.

Of course, "Step Into Darkness" is a good record because of all the musicians' work, and there are some seriously strong group moments with songs like "Masquerade" and "Dreams of You," highlighting the band at their collective best and, in the case of the former, showing off their stylistic range. The record feels very ominous, but not in the same way each song. Along with their strong songwriting and musical chops, it makes for a very satisfying listen.

"Step Into Darkness" is a focused, tightly-performed debut that thrills and thrashes in equal measure, and the band could yet improve on it in the future. While it will likely appeal most to fans of bands like TRAIL OF TEARS or DRACONIAN, there's enough diversity here that there's something for every kind of Metal fan to enjoy.