Insanity＜限定盤/Red Vinyl＞

Insanity, Darkane's follow-up to Rusted Angel, shares much in common with its predecessor despite Darkane's lineup shift. Daniel Bergstrand was once again given control of the recording console, giving Insanity the producer's trademark concussive sound. Peter Wildoer's instrumental abuse drives the music thanks to Bergstrand's massive drum sound and punchy mixes. And as with Lawrence Mackrory before, new vocalist Andreas Sydow has only a marginal impact. Sydow's more controlled bellowing might strike some as an improvement, but it's the thrash-influenced Swedish death riffing that makes Darkane interesting. There are many moments of near-virtuoso accomplishment and athleticism here. Darkane shreds its way through one riff after the next with room here and there for Sydow's shouting and the occasional melodic guitar blast. Musicians and listeners impressed with pure chops should enjoy Insanity, while casual listeners may not enjoy the abuse. ~ Vincent Jeffries