Is there beauty in destruction? It's probably a matter of taste, but you can definitely make a case for it with the newest album by VERATRUM, "Mondi Sospesi." Hailing from Bergamo, Lombardy, these Italians bring a class and dignity to their thoughtful brand of Blackened Death Metal.

Now, by 'class and dignity,' I'm not trying to imply that VERATRUM are 'soft' in any way, shape or form. Keeping in the great Italian tradition of bands like HOUR OF PENANCE, NECROSY and the like, the drums on "Mondi Sospesi" frequently reach speeds hazardous to human health, though it is always done tastefully. Following raging opener "Un Canto," "Il Culto di Pietra" sways between chaos and enlightenment in equal measure, from its melodic, blastbeat-driven chorus to the foul crunch of the riffs that follow.

One of the things that makes "Mondi Sospesi" such a great listen is its versatility. The band keep the intensity high throughout, and never miss a beat as they move from pure, atmospheric, chilling Black Metal to grinding Death Metal, to an epic sound that borders on Symphonic. FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE isn't a bad comparison, though VERATRUM might be the more well-rounded of the two, with all due respect. The instruments are all mixed very well, never imposing on one another but still getting a lot out of their sound, something I wish I could say more confidently about the former band's "Agony" (a terrific album, by the way).

It's also nice that, while the band embrace different sounds and sonic capabilities for expression, they never stray far from their extreme roots, and their most abrasive offerings are just as memorable as their melodic counterparts. "Quando in Alto" follows up the thunderous "Il Tempo del Cerchio" with a flurry of technical riffs and warp-speed drums, alternating speeds while delivering a consistently bludgeoning metallic punch. The album's closing number, "H Nea Babylon," is, incredibly, more brutal and demolition-ready than any of the songs that preceded it, and while it's not the most artistically moving chapter in the band's catalogue, it might certainly be the most pure example of their formidable talent as musicians.

"Mondi Sospesi" embodies everything that is beautiful and terrible about Extreme Metal at the same time. It is equal parts enthralling as it is terrifying in its attack, clashing powerful melodies with raw, metallic fury. As someone who loves Extreme Metal, I would highly recommend it.