Genre: Death metal
Origin: Switzerland
Released: 2009
Website: DarkRise
Label: Great Dane Records
Uploaded: 13.01.10

I can’t recall to have ever heard of DarkRise before, but this is their third fullength and the first one on this particular label. And to be honest I’ve never paid Great Dane Records any attention before, so I can’t say I’m really familiar with their roster. But judging from this one they at least seem to have a nack for signing great death metal bands. As I said these Swiss lads were completely unknown to me, and for some reason I got it in my head it was some form of melodic death metal (I think it’s got something to do with the artwork, but I don’t really know why), so I wasn’t really looking forward to hearing it. But it didn’t take long before I realized it definitely wasn’t as melodic as I’d feared.
With that being said I still have to add that this is somewhat melodic, while still remaining very brutal. Somehow they’ve managed to bring in all sorts of death metal subgenres into their sound, which makes it incredibly versatile and diverse. One moment it’s fast-forward, ultra-blasting and blazing, the next moment it chills a bit and adds a melodic flair to it all, and when Neuronal interference kicks in there’s even a touch of deathcore with chugging breakdowns, typical core bass work and whatnot. But the mainpart of the album, and DarkRise’s strongsuit, is the mix of melody and brutality. The outcome sounds quite similar to what Vader has going on, although with less thrash influencing their sound. The heavy, semi-melodic guitar leads accompanied by the hoarse, but not too damn brutal, growl also brings said band to mind, and let’s not forget about the drum department, which does its part in said reminiscing as well.
The incredibly tight, super-slick, fast-as-hell drumming (that guy really knows how to handle his bass drum) is impressive, and it comes delivered in a heavy sound; the production really carries a punch. I guess that’s thanks to the infamous Hertz Studio in Poland, a wise decision from the band since the outcome is clean and neat but retaining a soul of sorts. The guitar work is quite technical, and as already stated extremely versatile. Most of the time the bass is quite audible, and it has its moments where they really let the instrument shine. It is really an impressive display of catchy and energetic death metal that brings with it equal amounts of brutality and melody, but staying far off course from any lame-ass Gothenburg shite, so don’t let the melodic part of it scare you away.

Tracklist:
01. …To perform
02. Invisible disease
03. Feed this hate
04. One race : all racist
05. Our victory
06. And then… to kill myself
07. Neuronal interference
08. Facing the storm
09. Inescapable decision
10. Skillfully perverse mechanism