Blackened death metal from the nicest country on Earth? Yes please!

[tracklist]
1. The Bleeding Throne
2. Besieged
3. The Fall
4. Echoes of Cernunnos[/tracklist]

[details]
[record_label]Black Element Productions[/record_label]
[release_date]12th February 2016[/release_date]
[/details]

The genre of blackened death metal, almost single-handedly owned by Behemoth, has a new challenger of placement in the form of Canadians Unbowed, at sticks up a strong argument in the form of their new EP, ‘Dogma‘.

The name blackened death metal, albeit one of those names that get a bit of flak from metal elitists as being yet another feeble attempt for a band to make it seem like they invented a genre, has a very nice ring to it. It’s almost like you can tell exactly what it’s going to sound like, and when you discover it sounds exactly how you thought it would, there’s a lot of satisfaction involved.

That is the sensation that flowed through when listening to this short piece by Unbowed, only enhanced greater by the devilish atmosphere provided by the synths and vocals in the opening ‘The Bleeding Throne‘.

As the EP expands into more unique offerings such as ‘Besieged‘, the folk metal influences are every present to make sure that the listener understands that Unbowed’s sound is their own, and not Behemoth’s.

Some fine musicianship involved in the creation of this EP, and more stunningly the production is excellent for an underground band. Definitely something that needs to be listened to for fans of death and black metal looking for a sharper edge in their 2016 music library, and I can safely say I am greatly looking forward to more material from these Canadians!

[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]A very refined blackened death metal release, and just enough to satisfy you while leaving you wanting more. A good sign of rising stars in metal![/why]