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In Battle: Kingdom of Fear
 Kingdom of Fear is the fourth release from the Swedish death metal outfit In Battle. Previously on Metal Blade Records, the band now finds themselves over on Candlelight Records in cooperation with Nocturnal Art Productions (a label owned by Emperor guitarist Samoth). Here, the four piece continue along on their brutal quest for world domination, as this new CD contains 11 songs of death metal fury with just a touch of black metal for good measure. Pummeling guitar riffs, manic blast beats, and lethal growls that recall Unleashed and Amon Amarth make for 45 minutes of fast paced extreme metal. While tunes like "The Wandering One", "Tyr", "The Dead Shall See", and "Terrorkings" kick some royal ass, some of the songs, on successive listens, tend to sound too similar to each other, as they are buried in a sea of endless speed and repetitive riffs. Thankfully, it's all done with a certain level of precision and class that helps it rise just above the mirth of generic death metal fare most of us hear these days. The band should try and work off of the formula heard on the song "Path of Power", where they mix in some varied tempos and slower riffs instead of going for the non-stop speed-o-rama. Final thoughts are that Kingdom of Fear is a solid release that has some flaws, but shows a band that is still growing and has plenty of the tools to really make a name for themselves.
Track Listing
1. Kingdom of Fear
2. The Multitude
3. The Wandering One
4. Follow the Allfather
5. Tyr
6. The Dead Shall See
7. The Curse
8. I Kamp
9. Terrorkings
10. Path of Power
11. Raven Calls
Added: September 26th 2007
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score: 
Related Link: Candlelight Records
Hits: 3788
Language: english
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In Battle: Kingdom of Fear
Posted by Hugh Dark, SoT Staff Writer on 2007-09-26 12:16:50
My Score: 
Sweden's blackened death/thrash assault In Battle was formed in 1996 and Kingdom of Fear makes their 4th full-length cd. Never having heard this band before: this is raw, no frills, with Norse elements of Amon Amarth influence mixed in at various times. Ah, what the hell, a fair amount of thrash ("I Kamp") thrown in too! Interestingly, there is always a very dark, sinister atmosphere cradling the songs that really help the band stand out. Although, the production at times can be a little unclear and some of the lead tones could be a little better, those minor concerns aside, it--for the most part-- certainly fits the dark journey you lead into and provides them with some credibility for sure.
The cd really comes out swinging with the title track "Kingdom of Fear" where the band has it kicked in high gear--to say the least --with an ultra cool guitar solo (Hasse Carlsson is no slouch) that is very reminiscent of something that Nile would do. Songs like "Path of Power" recall a slight Immortal vibe in some of the chord work; if indeed, you were so inclined to peer beneath the dense thickness. That song just totally brings it home with a mystical force so becoming of one of Satan's legion; you can't help feeling a little transformed after hearing it. The band can also engage you in a blastfest when need be as heard in the cd closer "Raven's Call". The song starts out hard and quick, but then it will bring it down a few notches to give you some air just before smothering you to death. I wish I had the lyrics because some of the song titles and the words that I have been able to discern have been extremely cool (A possible nod to Lovecraft in "The Dead Shall Sea") to say the least. I also believe their inclusion would help define the band a little better in terms of their "overall philosophy".
In Battle just has the "total vibe", if you know what I mean. Starting with the cover art: showing a pupil reflecting the ravages of destruction to the unrelenting, yet "dynamic enough" assault of the deathly music. This is just a good package. It's not necessarily "groundbreaking" per se, but surely stimulating enough to go out and purchase.
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In Battle: Kingdom of Fear
Posted by Toby @ BornInBlood on 2007-09-06 05:48:35
My Score:
Totally agree with the comments made in the review, a very solid release by a solid band.
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