Band: Puteraeon
Title: The Esoteric Order
Label: Cyclone Empire
Distribution: Cyclone Empire
Release date: January 28th 2011
Review: CD

Puteraeon are a young formation (formed in 2008) with pretty well-known names, amongst whom Jonas Lindblood (Deletion, Exorcism, Taetre etc), Anders Malmström (Immemorial, Nominon, Prophanity) and Rune Foss (since 2010; involved with Dawn Of Time / Reclusion, Killaman, Exempt, Aggro). After three demos, the band recorded a debut full length in 2009, called The Esoteric Order, which lasts for fifty four minutes. It was mixed and mastered, by the way, by Andy LaRocque at his Sonic Train Studio (Rimfrost, Nefarium etc).
The Esoteric Order, finally available through Germany’s top-label Cyclone Empire, brings Swedish-sounding Death Metal the way it was meant to be: uncompromising, merciless, straight-forward, mega-heavy and back-to-the-roots (read: Old School). At the same time it is rather evident that the level of originality is non-existent. This does not bother in case the performance and compositions are as impressing, or even more impressive, than the ‘roots’ – think Facebreaker, Miseration, Aeon or Demonical amongst a handful (or a few hands full) of others. In Puteraeon’s case it lies somewhere in between. The average performance is all right, the songs are well structured and the eighties / nineties’ roots are honoured with pleasure and joy; but the average quality of the songs is, indeed, average. It is not bad at all, but I do miss those elements that make higher mentioned bands so fine. Some songs sound too alike, and I do miss any ear-catcher.
But, as said, the totality is all right: nice performance (with exceptionally strong grunts), majestic sound, even the artwork is pleasant.

80/100

Ivan Tibos.