Liste des groupes Death Mélodique Universum Leto Destinatus

Another group of musicians to carry on the soon-to-be doomed legacy of melodic death. Another hope for the dying sub-genre. This came in the form of Universum, an Australian melodeath outfit. Leto Destinatus, or Destined to Kill, as it translates to, is the debut album of this six piece band, which includes a female keyboardist.

The album features 13 tracks which mostly are close to the 3 & a half minute mark. There is an official video on the title track. Though not a fully original band , Universum draws heavy influence from Dark Tranquility & Mors Principium Est with ambient keyboards & fast, "eargasmic" solos. The title track "Leto Destinatus" kicks off brutally with growling vocals, heavy drumming, fast death riffs & distortions. Clean vocals are used in few of the songs, including this one, but fortunately, it doesn't sound cheesy. The keyboards are atmospheric, sitting in the back & controlling the ambiance well. It does jump off to the front row in songs like "Disconnected", adding techno elements to the track. Not bad if you ask me. But the album really scores in the guitar solos section. With the brilliant use of the sweeping-picking technique, the solos are fast, catchy & melodic. In one word, "eargasmic". This alone proves that the band is in for some serious music business & not a bunch of wannabe metalheads.

After "Day of Redemption" & "Disconnected", "Solitude" serves as a break in the album. This 1:30 min instrumental is a pleasure to listen to. It's slow & deeply atmospheric. "Damage" picks up where "Solitude" left, made to feel like a continuation of the latter. "War of Ages", "Zero" & "Misery Cell" are slower & less brutal than the other tracks. "War of Ages" & "Misery Cell" are worth a listen because of its originality as it doesn't stick to the same pattern like the other songs. The outro track "Ignite the Subconscious" features some kickass drumming and brilliant riffing. There is even an electrifying solo by the guest guitarist Tomy Laisto from Mors Principium Est, which makes it even more worth a listen.

Done by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios, Sweden, the sound mixing and production of the album is top-notch with every instrument heard clearly & distinctly. With such powerful influences, the band's music can be easily considered above-average. The songs lack depth because of the short timing of the tracks, but their adept musicianship overshadows those flaws subtly. I haven't mentioned any key tracks because every track is worth it. A must-have album for any true melodeath fan.