Band:	The Blinded
Album:	Divine
Style:	Gothenburg metal
Release date:	2003
A review by:	Undercraft

01. Contagious Sin
02. Thorned & Weak
03. Legacy (Slaves In The Name Of Christ)
04. Selfobtained Paranoia
05. Lifeless Dominion
06. Discrown The Holy
07. Kingdom Of Pain
08. Demoniser DCLXVI
09. Anno Domini 1224

Young fellas hailing from Sweden playing the thing that Swedish metalheads know to do best: Melodic Death Metal, Melodeath, Gothenburg Metal or the way you like to call it. The thing about this is that the style is obviously Melodeath, but for once the singer doesn't uses Death Metal growls, so the questions here is, If it doesn't growl or grunt, is Death Metal? I think I'll let you all answer that.

The singer doesn't growl or grunt, and of course he doesn't shriek? he has 2 type of vocal techniques one very aggressive almost screaming, and the other more calm, suits fine if you ask me?

As for the music, a lot of Trash influences, a lot of In Flames and a portion of Soilwork also, very catchy choruses and good riffing, seems like the perfect formula isn't it? Well it's not. I mean, every piece is where it should be, every riff is correct and all the elements fit, but still, I found myself changing the disc before is over, and no, I don't have any attention deficit disorder (most commonly know as ADD), is just that these guys fail in keeping me interested in their music for more than half an hour.

Things start with pretty nice, with "Contagious Sin" great song, really catchy chorus, I was hooked immediately, then "Thorned & Weak" got me too, liked this one, then nothing really happened until "Selfobtained Paranoia" which is a killer song, full of rich melodies and great chorus (again!), but then? nothing.. well maybe "Lifeless Dominion" got my attention... but the rest of the songs, felt nothing?

Ok, I know the problem here, too much fillers, some great songs, but the rest? nah. I guess that for a first album, is pretty excusable, because this is not an album by any mean, it just lacks some more good songs, but I'm a firm believer on second chances, so I'll wait the sophomore release of these guys to let you know my final judgment, Until then, all of you that must have any Melodic Death Metal album, get this one.