Band: In Slumber
Title: Arcane Divine Subspecies
Label: Twilight Zone Records
Distribution: Bertus
Release date: April 1st 2010
Review: CD

In Slumber were found in winter 2002 by Wolfgang Rothbauer, involved with e.g. Thirdmoon and Eisblut. In 2003, In Slumber released the debut album, Stillborn Rebirth (CCP), followed in 2007 by Scars: Incomplete (Massacre). Both recordings were highly successful, and after the recruitment of a new bass player, Kay Brem (ex-Cataract, Eluveitie), the band started to finish their third full length with producers Ziggy (Mercenary, Aborted, Panzerchrist, Illdisposed, …) and Tue Madsen (Hatesphere, Ektomorf, Cataract, Aborted, Mnemic etc).
In fact, Arcane Divine Subspecies is a 2009-release, yet a renewed and decent distribution will open new gates, won’t it?
Evidently, in the vein of both former albums, Arcane Divine Subspecies combines powerful, somewhat old school-inspired Death Metal with modern and melodic elements. The up-tempo tracks come with a bulldozer sound and a pounding rhythm. At the same time, the painful atmosphere overwhelms with the thrashy approach and the groovy undertones.
One cannot deny a well-known Swedish approach within the rather catchy hymns. That’s sad, because in spite of the acceptable performance, I’m not sure this will reach the high standards nowadays.
Yet again: even though this album lasts for fifty two minutes, it does not annoy at all. Arcane Divine Subspecies might be In Slumber’s most intense album to date. And that’s nice.

77/100

Ivan Tibos.