EUCHARIST

*(459K - zipped .WAV file/ 8-bit mono, 11hz./ 60 sec.)

Eucharist play melodic Swedish Death Metal incorporating classically influenced guitar harmonies, acoustic guitar, and excellent Black/Death Metal vocals. Many of the middle to latter tracks on "A Velvet Creation" feature similarities to the music on At The Gates' "The Red in the Sky is Ours". However, Eucharist's music does not quite match the intensity, complexity, or precision of At The Gates'. Even so, the melodies/harmonies on this release are well developed, and the music can become rather intense. The production is not perfect. While the drums, bass, and vocals sound fine, the guitar tone is rather weak and muddied. This release would be even more enjoyable if the guitar production was improved.

The first three tracks on "A Velvet Creation" are a bit different from later tracks, particularly the second and third tracks. These tracks are darker and less intense and don't feature the complex harmonies of the middle to latter portion of this release, although the first track still contains some excellent classically influenced guitar harmonies. The CD opens with a nice, classical acoustic guitar introduction which leads directly into the main body of the first track, "Greeting Immortality". While both of the following tracks are melodic, the second track doesn't contain much in the way of classical melodies, and the third track contains only slight classical influences. However, the music shifts dramatically on track four, entitled "My Bleeding Tears", to a more complex, intense Swedish Death Metal style incorporating heavily classically influenced guitar harmonies. This style continues throughout the remaining tracks on "A Velvet Creation" until the final track which is probably the fastest and most intense track on the CD but which also lacks the classical harmonies of previous tracks. Included in these tracks are a few acoustic guitar interludes, two of which open and close the fifth track, "Floating".

Overall, Eucharist's "A Velvet Creation" is another excellent release of melodic Swedish Death Metal, and while I don't feel personally that this release quite matches the masterpieces of other similar bands such as At The Gates or In Flames, it is certainly a worthy and recommended acquisition for all of those who enjoy this style of Metal.