Diabolical

Sweden's blackened death metallers Diabolical (formerly known as Misanthropic Orchestra) have been around for 14 years and while their earlier recordings exhibit some of the finer work, the band are still able to create top-notch material. Ars Vitae, the latest from Diabolical, combines the old with the new. The album features 17 tracks, including four new studio recordings, nine previously unreleased live tracks, as well as a remastered version of their first EP, 2000's Deserts of Desolation. Although half of Ars Vitae is comprised of live material, it's as if each of these tracks were recorded in studio as the band performed on point and at the top of their game. The production, which was done at the infamous Necromorbus Studio, also doesn't hinder this outcome. The new recordings, in particular "Sightless 6" and "Eye," are thoroughly commanding and violent, while the earlier material is an assault of blazing fury. Even though Ars Vitae features a mixture of Diabolical's work, recorded at different times and places, there's still a cohesive atmosphere throughout.