When you wish to make a mark in a genre, creativity and skill set need to be high on the priority list. Finland's WHISPERED at the core perform in a melodic death/ power metal style that most will be able to figure out the reference points easily, and yet they add in an Eastern folk element through actual use of standard folk instrumentation to give their sound a depth and punch that keeps my ears pinned on high alert.

Active in the early 2000's as ZEALOT before changing names to WHISPERED in 2004, "Shogunate Macabre" is the quartet's second album, and my first exposure to their dramatic style. Many of the lyrical concepts revolve around Japanese legends of the Samurai and Bushido warrior days, which makes sense as the music also possesses this militant/ battle cry quality. Jouni Valjakka as a vocalist resembles early Alexi Laiho growl / scream montage, holding out notes as if on his last precipice before plunging to death (check out "Hold the Sword").

CHILDREN OF BODOM as well as ENSIFERUM are the obvious references in terms of their melodic death meets symphonic virtuoso tendencies, and yet there is a strong hint of majestic German power metal in certain twin harmonies and happier instrumental sections. The guitar work and off the charts tempo race within "Fallen Amaterasu" should inspire much talk in all the guitar journals across the globe, while "Lady of the Wind" would make a lot of early ELEGY fans proud in terms of the syncopation Valjakka / Ruponen arpeggio run action (while the Eastern folk section is elegant and graceful in terms of atmospheric differentiation).

For the most part, those who like breakneck drum tempos and dual keyboard/ guitar runs in the melodic death vein should have no trouble banging their fists to killer highlights such as "Unrestrained", opener "Jikininki" and the 10 minute closing salvo "Upon My Honor" that features a choir oriented mid-section, slower neo-classical action, and an overall dramatic dynamic arrangement to wind things up in a Far Eastern manner. What would be interesting to see is the band pulls this off with live musicians performing all of the folk instrumentation - as I could envision this being a spectacle to behold on a THERION level if the avenues for a proper budget are in place.

Tidy at 45 minutes, WHISPERED could be on the brink of a momentous swell of acclaim if given the right chance to showcase their talent - be it promotional or touring opportunities. Lift your sword high and bow down as Finland continues to pump out superior product once again for "Shogunate Macabre".