PAINTED BLACK "Raging Light"

format: CD

style: Progressive Death metal

info: " 'Raging Light' is finally here, showing yet again that Painted Black simply won't stay in the same place for long and will refuse to be pegged down. Although the opening title track's intro itself underlines the continuity, picking up where 'Cold Comfort' left off – a cheeky wink to all those who have followed the band since those days – the departure is indeed wonderfully dramatic over the next 61 minutes. The guitar work is constantly phenomenal, intricate and elegant, its prog undertones offering unexpected twists and conflicting moods, while the rhythm section provides the necessary density and depth for the more fragile and sensitive moments to shine through. Vocalist Daniel Lucas, like a bolt of raging light himself, wanders between the power of his furious death metal roar and the beauty of his heartfelt, clean melodies, dripping with sorrow and melancholy. No two songs sound alike – from the hypnotic, clean-sung 'The Living Receiver' to the brief fury of 'Absolution Denied', from the instant catchiness of 'Chamber' to the rock-out grooves of 'In The Heart Of The Sun', but never do they stray too far from the quintet's established personality, and that is the most delicate balance the band is able to achieve with 'Raging Light'. Just like the explosion of colour and vitality of the amazing artwork will force your eyes to refocus and readjust to take in its power in one swoop, so too will the deeply evocative songs of 'Raging Light' will have a similar impact on your brain and on your heart, and leave you with both wide open." José Carlos Santos www.painted-black.org