Metal Underground.com

Sweden has been a consistent exporter of death metal that runs more toward the melodic side, and that great nation it is at it again with two-man act Anachronaeon. Focusing on issues of humanity’s failure, the heavy-yet-groovy album “The Futile Quest for Immortality” showcases a burgeoning talent in the underground metal scene that should be heard by anyone who can look past a few production issues.

Although clearly based heavily in the Gothenburg style of melodic death metal, the band might more aptly be titled something along the lines of “extreme dark metal.” Anachronaeon splits the difference between bands like Arch Enemy and acts like Enthrope or Swallow the Sun, having a nice balance between brutality, melody, and dark atmosphere.

On the vocal front, main man Patrik Carlsson uses a well enunciated death growl that’s actually fairly easy to understand. While that drops the brute force of the music quite a bit, it also adds a unique quality that isn’t heard from many other bands in the style. Clean vocals also pop up from time to time, which have a bit of a folk or Viking metal feel, adding another dimension to the already varied music.

The drumming plays a pretty big role in the music, but unfortunately it’s frequently relegated to a backing support role instead of taking charge and leading the music. Some noticeable exceptions do occur, however, such as the seriously rapid-fire drumming going on in “The Darkness in the Corner of My Eyes” and other tracks.

A few technical issues keep the album from reaching its true glory, as the production is a bit rough and the sounds are all faded in comparison to a more crisp and professionally produced album. “The Futile Quest for Immortality” is heavy, dark, melodic, and has impressive song writing for an unknown death metal duo. With a boost in the production department and perhaps a few vocal tweaks, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Anachronaeon end up on par with the best bands in the genre.