Barren Earth

The fusion of progressive rock and death metal running through Barren Earth's intro EP and debut album continues to define the Finns' sound. On The Devil's Resolve, their second full-length, the ratio of prog to death metal varies from track to track, the balance and precise components in near-constant variation. In fact, aside from some fairly steady deep growling, extreme metal is mostly in abeyance, prettied up but bursting out in short fits of relentless riffage or a few sets of doomy chord progressions. Lilting or climbing melodies are more the norm, played on resonant guitar or synth, in motion over a solid vintage organ base (and bass). If that's not bracing enough, hang on for a little noodling on piano, a guitar lead or some velvet-edged singing ― male voices in unison with the occasional harmonizing contrast. As a whole ― all motion and texture ― The Devil's Resolve is satisfyingly robust, but it doesn't add anything remarkable to Barren Earth's repertoire.