Centinex

Not the most unique album name as of late, sure, but don't you be too quick to dismiss this latest disc from Sweden's Centinex. The band plays death metal better than most, bringing refreshing melodies into the mix and making the proceedings a bit more enjoyable than most of the genre's straight-faced snoozers. Not only can Centinex play excruciatingly heavy death metal, the band can also write a good song, something worth remembering once the disc is over. Those touches of melody and the gratefully non-bass-oriented production help as well. Unfortunately no signs of originality jump out at the listener here, but the listen is a fun death metal time regardless. And one of them is even smiling in the band photo!