CLOSER are the next in line of clichéd Swedish Melodic Death Metal bands. “Darkness In Me” is the band’s debut release, a three song EP comprised of well written tunes, but also an overbearing sense of déjà vu, which makes coming up with what to say about the album a real chore.

Everything you would expect from Melodic Death Metal is present on “Darkness In Me”: The riffs, the scathing vocals, the melodic solos, the double bass with occasional blasts, and a powerful clear production. But that’s also its main problem, everything sounds like something that’s been done before. The EP is simply Melodeath by the book, with no discernable original ideas. Thankfully though, the ‘core quotient is zero, and the band has stayed completely away from singing pretty in the choruses.

Melodic Death Metal fans (as I myself am) should be pleased enough by the three songs on “Darkness In Me”, as CLOSER has written a batch of memorable, head-bangable tunes. Unfortunately there’s nothing to make any of it stand out from the countless other bands of the genre.

(Online May 19, 2007)