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You know, I still remember the time in the early '90s when Sweden became really well known for its Melodic Black Metal scene. They had labels like No Fashion Records and Wrong Again Records that understood the potential of this type of Metal whilst signing such names as Dissection, Dark Funeral, Mörk Gryning, Naglfar, Lord Belial, and many others. I bring this up because even though Sandviken's Devourer first started in 2002, their third and (as of writing) latest album, Dawn of Extinction, takes me back to those times while reminding me that the Swedish Black Metal scene is still going strong.

Both John Falk (who's responsible for all the instruments) and Fredrik Håf (vocals) are clearly on a mission to crush holy icons and desecrate innocent souls with unrelenting, uncompromising, and ferocious Black Metal. The nearest comparison to their ravishing and raw Black Metal would be Dark Funeral, but even rougher and more primitive. Despite that description, they also slow things down and incorporate a good bit of melody and atmosphere when they aren't spitting fire and brimstone at the listener. "Evighetens Bila" is a cool example of their moodier atmospheric grade of Black Metal, which gives their sound more variety and depth than a lot of their contemporaries.

Dawn of Extinction isn't going to change your life or break any new ground, but it's top-notch musicianship and merciless intensity will remind you what made the Swedish scene so great to begin with.