Much different than his former band The Crown, guitarist Marko Tervonen's Angel Blake returns with its second album — this time on Finland's Dynamic Arts Records instead of Metal Blade. A new label, new members and a new edge seem to have Angel Blake poised for greater things. Most significant is the arrival of vocalist Tobias Jansson, who looks like country-music rebel Travis Tritt but injects The Descended with Tobias Sammet-like attitude and gives Angel Blake more of a "band" feel than 2006's self-titled debut (which initially started out as a Tervonen solo project).
While certainly veering away from The Crown's brand of death metal, the music of Angel Blake isn't as gothic as The Descended's title and artwork might indicate. Granted, there is the occasional grunt, and Tervonen's guitar is just as razor-sharp as it was in the The Crown, but this material boasts much stronger melodies, more melancholy and greater mainstream metal appeal. About half of these 10 songs are keepers, with the other half proving Angel Blake needs a little more work. Essentially, The Descended reveals a band in the middle of its own ascension.
Track Listing:
1) Anywhere But Here
2) Defenseless
3) Again
4) When All The Lights Are Out
5) Alone
6) Wasn't Meant to Last
7) In Silence-Augerum
8) The Descended
9) Silent Voice
10) You'll Never Need to Feel Again
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