PRESS/LEANDER DJØNNE
Identifying their strengths and doubling down on them, this melodic death metal quartet have honed in on their love of big technical riffs to blistering effect on this third album. Leaving their unfocused 2015 blackened thrash debut, Primordial Fear, firmly behind them, the Danes have evolved their sound for the better, becoming a well-oiled metal machine that feels bigger and heavier, packing more conviction in its grooves. Guitarists Lars Bo Nepper and Sebastian Skousgaard embody this progression, executing face-melting solos and riffs with pinpoint precision, as best heard on Vestigial. Their furious energy is balanced by stretching their acoustic muscles, which feature throughout, notably on Horror Unearthed. Where Chaos Thrives is a step up for the band musically, and though it might not be reinventing the wheel, it’s a satisfying, well-paced 45 minutes of headbanging fun. The strongest entry in Chronicle’s catalogue by far. ■■■■■■■■■■