Band:	Disarmonia Mundi
Album:	Cold Inferno
Style:	Gothenburg metal
Release date:	June 09, 2015
A review by:	Dream Taster

01. Creation Dirge
02. Stormghost
03. Behind Closed Doors
04. Coffin
05. Oddities From The Ravishing Chasm
06. Slaves To The Illusion Of Life
07. Blessing From Below
08. Magma Diver
09. Clay Of Hate
10. Toys Of Acceleration
11. The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner [Iron Maiden cover] [Japanese bonus][feat. Christian Älvestam]

Determined to let the world know that Italy can still produce some high-quality Gothenburg metal, Disarmonia Mundi is back after a 6-year hiatus. The Turin-based twosome is comprised of instrumentalist extraordinaire Ettore Rigotti [guitars, bass guitar, drums, keyboards and clean vocals] and vocalist Claudio Ravinale. Björn Strid from Soilwork and Christian Älvestam also provide some vocal work.

In this much coveted market of melodic death metal, it has always been virtually impossible to avoid comparisons. Earlier in their career, the band was likened to Soilwork. Of course hiring Björn Strid on 2004's Fragments Of D-Generation did not help. What it did though was bring them to the forefront of the scene. 2009 rolled around and the emergence of a more modern sound was showcased on The Isolation Game. All of a sudden Disarmonia Mundi was being compared to later days In Flames for obvious reasons. Undeterred by criticism, the duo just released their 5th offering, Cold Inferno.

The musicianship is solid through and through, those guys have nothing to learn from the top acts in the field. That much is clear right from the first spin of Cold Inferno. The album is a monolith of in-your-face power, right where it proves to be the most effective. They do not mince their riffing and do not suffer from guitar solo retention. Guitar tracks are often layered on more than two levels adding that extra oomph factor. Songs go by at breakneck speed and on a dynamite rhythm. While it will not revolutionize the world of music, it is well executed and the music is actually engaging.

There are two oddities worth mentioning. The Japanese bonus track is an interesting cover of Iron Maiden's "The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner" featuring Christian Älvestam. Also "Blessings From Below" is reminiscent of the best At The Gates tunes.

Yes, it has been done before but Disarmonia Mundi do it so well I am willing to overlook this blemish on an otherwise very good record. Bringing the right balance of splendour and harshness to the table, Cold Inferno is solid without being essential but fans of the genre will find all the makings of a quality release.