ALBUM REVIEW: Meadow’s End – The Grand Antiquation

Here I review the new album from Swedish Melodic Death Metallers MEADOW’S END! Set for release via Black Lion Records on March 8th!

1. Devilution opens with epic orchestral sections, setting the powerful mood of the album immediately. The punchy guitars come in with the drums adding some bite over the synths which are still pristinely gorgeous but now with the added Metal elements. There are already some strong Fleshgod Apocalypse vibes from the music especially when the vocals kick in, totally powerful and excellent. The song is filled with beautiful melodies and excellent instrumental work with fantastic production. The lyrics are gorgeously written and gruesomely performed with tight growls that pack a punch. The guitar solo was absolutely incredible, played with both soul and skill. I am already highly hopeful for this album, the band have set the bar high very quickly.
2. Storm Of Perdition follows up with more punishing drums, built in guitar riffs and stunning keyboard work. The frenzied attack is storming, furious and also unpredictable with a volatility that makes every bar of music exciting. The waves of melody and extremity are woven together perfectly, giving something filled with atmosphere and aggression alike. The groove of the song is really catchy with a slightly folky touch that I really enjoyed. A haunting piece of music that was intense and crushing. Great work!
3. Svept I Sorgepläd fires out huge and epic riffs with a slower tempo, giving a melancholy to the already varied soundscapes. The beautifully sombre lead guitars really elevating things before we are dropped into marching riffs and keys that are filled with a lively aggression but still the more darker undertones remain. The vocals are chillingly emotive throughout the piece with such strong growls, not unlike Insomnium. Another absolutely wonderful track.
4. Night’s Bane comes in with total strength. Monstrous blast beats, huge walls of guitar attack, monolithic synths and bellowing vocals all hit with a precision and drive that is instantly loveable. The contrasting melodies and ferocity of the music are something I find thoroughly enjoyable, something Meadow’s End have done successfully for a long time. This is a totally headbang worthy piece but also filled with atmosphere and some gorgeous folky female vocals, another song that shows how unpredictable and diverse this band truly is. Excellent!
5. Non-Dreaming Eye churns out some intense keyboards and blasting guitars the drop into catchy grooves. The captivating charge of the piece with some nice Soilwork style lead work is instantly recognisable as something that will make for a good Melodeath song. We are given a unique blend of more huge, in-your-face sections but also some respite in the slower melodies that allow the tension to rebuild and hit with full force. This band not only make great music but execute it in a way that is exciting and stays fresh with perfect flow. Another killer track.
6. Her Last Sigh Goodbye is decimating from the onset. The huge sounding guitars driving out catchy hooks with a menacing attack that is accompanied by some killer drums and synths. Lyrics are harshly snarled over the fierce instruments with totally anguishing force. Soaring lead guitar work elevates the piece before dropping back into obliteration. There is still melodic values throughout this song but it is much more typically heavy than the others in a more traditional sense. The semi-clean vocals sound gorgeous, adding a great new elements to the music. This track has to be my favourite for its insane range and hypnotic grooves.
7. The Insignificance Of Man has an unexpected start with clean singing and much lighter instrumentals starting off. There is a quite strange feel to the piece that really stands out, I have to respect that. The song then, without warning, just fires out blistering assaults from all angles with some of the most intense music of the album. Total juxtaposition at its best. The melodic twists and turns of this track mixed with the furious tremolo picking and blast beat sections make for a volatile and brilliant listening that is exciting throughout, the introductory sections still ringing in your ears throughout. Brilliant!
8. I Stilla Vemod Vandra finishes things off. Starting with clean guitars, thundering bass and pummelling drums underlined by simplistic synths before powering into more aggressive sections upon the vocalist joining. The mixed melancholy and fierce aggression are once again executed brilliantly. The catchy and hateful chorus was astounding and the overall menacing touches of the song made for one gorgeously dark last addition to the album, closing the release with the send-off it deserved! 

The new Meadow’s End is exactly what I hoped for and more. Punishing groove, fierce attack and gorgeous melodies. A varied journey into some megalithic Melodic / Symphonic Death Metal that is as relentless as it is beautiful. Another fantastic release for the Swedish juggernauts to add to their growing repertoire of killer albums! -8.5/10