If it’s fast and hard and melodic, it must be Mors Principium Est. Finland’s finest must be fed up of being compared with the usual Scandinavian suspects, with some justification I should add, but the fact that they’ve got to their sixth album since “Inhumanity” in 2003 suggests they’re happy with what they’re doing. They’ve progressed in the time, increasing the aggression levels and turning up the subtle twists without sacrificing the overall energy.

And off we go into a dramatic world of adventure. Symphonic touches enhance the drama, and stick around as the familiar melodic death metal assault makes its entry with “Reclaim the Sun”. Breathless drumming and guitar sophistication add further expanse to the dark scene. Shuddering walls and fluttering keyboard sounds interrupt the harshness and guitar virtuosity of “Masquerade”. This is played out on different levels and as ever, its intensity builds up as it all comes together and forms exciting patterns and songsmanship. It’s extravagant. Sometimes I found that the songs got lost in all the layers. This happened for me on “Into the Dark”, which has all the ingredients but lacked a core.

“The Drowning” is an unusual slower song but it’s epic and builds up immaculately after a short keyboard interlude. The band showed its determination to break from the mould with female vocals and spoken words to go with growls, programming, symphony, sublime guitar work and atmospheric heights on “Death is the Beginning” – not only a translation of the band’s name, but an epic track. Aggressive flamboyance and punch make a welcome return on “The Ghost”, another rip-roaring affair. The unexpected choral “Agnus Dei” follows another assault. They are playing with our senses but to my delight the normal diet of shuddering, rapid fire, guitar-flourishing fare resumes with “Colours of the Cosmos”. The chorus and general pattern are familiar but it’s no less exhilarating. The bombast takes on another and final level as symphony provides the introduction to the band’s single “Apprentice of Death”. It’s a strange choice as a single as it’s a complex and dark track, but a good track it is and one which displays the layered musical sophistication of this death metal band.

There’s quality in the songs and musicianship. But I knew about that already. Mors Principium Est go from strength to strength.

(8.5/10 Andrew Doherty) 

https://www.facebook.com/MPEofficial