ALBUM REVIEW: ROGGA JOHANSSON – Entrance To The Otherwhere

Here I review the new album from ROGGA JOHANSSON, the mastermind behind Paganizer among many other classic bands. Time for some epic Melodic Death Metal. Set for release via Transcending Obscurity Records on July 19th.

1. The Re-Emergers rips right in with melodic tremolo picked guitars and rhythmic drums, creating a cascading effect before tearing right into meaty Death Metal riffs, blasting drums and snarled, demonic vocals. There is a natural groove immediately present in the music which one has come to expect from high-status Swedeath, demanding respect with its ferocity but also showing skilful, gorgeous senses of melody. This opening track was a well-rounded and balanced way to set the album with strength but also not showing the full aggression of the band. Excellent.
2. Till Bergets Puls follows suit with more chugging guitar brutality, catchy drum fills and once more, a rather melodic foreground. The aggression is slightly more present than in the first song, with a tight punchy songwriting style that is catchy and certainly headbanger friendly. The synths add a unique element to the music, not unlike Master’s Hammer, one that was rather enjoyable and did not stay long enough to detract from the mesmerising walls of guitars and drums hitting with full strength. There is a soaring effect of harmony in this song that is rather tranquil, adding to the scenic vibrancy of the music. A stunning piece.
3. When the Otherwhere Opens grinds out grisly guitars and cataclysmic drum hits, taking a darker undertone into the foreground with brooding soundscapes, hypnotically foreboding in sound. Heinously harsh vocals overlay the storming instrumentals in a way that hits you with a well-mixed strength that is balanced by the crystal clear production. There is a morbid convulsing rhythm to be found within this song that is really awesome, also found are some nice breaks that utilise the bands atmospheric-conjuring abilities very nicely. Another really enjoyable track.
4. Giants Walking at Night storms in with that familiar groove that has been quite omnipresent through the album before churning out more melancholic riffing with dynamic vocals. Blistering leads occasionally flare up over the monstrous momentum of the rhythm guitars, bass and drums while not overshadowing the barbaric assault of the piece. The solos however are beautifully played and spaced out minimally in a really cool way. Vocally this song is much more akin to Rogga’s band Paganizer which was cool to hear while it did not feel he was trying to blend the two. Fantastic.
5. As Evil Seeps Out starts off with epic battle-drums and horns before seeping in gruesome guitars and violent vocals. The monolithic storming assault that follows is absolutely crushing with decimating rhythms and ripping vocals. There seems to be a rejuvenated energy and sense of aggression, taking away any elements of lethargy during this track. While there is melodic sections, they seem much more lively, giving a far more emotive performance before dropping back into the ferocities of the verse riff and punchy drums. Utilising some grimy yet thunderous bass before lurching into shredding guitar solos was an awesome touch before reintroducing the beautiful main melody. This song felt all the more impactful to me, by far my favourite, great work.
6. Berget Vaknar once more begins with samples like its predecessor but this time with eerie forest samples before simplistic piano notes join. This song makes for an ambient and relaxing interlude among the surging grooves of Melodic Death Metal. The simplicity and minimalist nature let this become all the more atmospheric, without any obnoxious or unnecessary elements being added, leaving the hypnotic piece to lull us into a false sense of security.
7. Entrance to the Otherwhere fires right back in with dancing melodic guitars, thunderous drum hammering and a true liveliness that I suspected to follow the interluding previous song. Mainly focusing on a main groove that is punchy with a primitive yet very effective hook to back up the monstrously demonic vocal performance, this piece then takes an unexpected turn into some rather sombre, almost blackened, atmospherics that are scenically emotive and just stunning to listen to. The interesting juxtaposition is certainly a unique one, but one that I really think paid off. Brilliant.
8. A Journey into Fear has a meaty opening riff that drives us in with an unnerving brutality, a much murkier soundscape of more traditionally hateful Death Metal clearly being the intention. This song is a stirringly punchy and heinously heavy piece of crushing guitar tones and barrages of drums. With more frenzied lead work and hellish vocal grunts, this is certainly more along the lines of what I expected of the release, giving a nice nod to the classic Death Metal history of Rogga himself. While it may seem misfitting, in parts, on the album, I thought this was a cool nod to the mans career and a decimating piece, still fitted with some nice melodic work.
9. In the Grip of Garpedans finalises this album, one more chance to drive in grooves. Opening with ambience and a slow crawling guitar riff, there is a fantastic doomy texture to this closing piece from the beginning. Demonic vocals soon overcoat piano notes before chugging into a more mid-tempo piece of grinding guitars, well-timed drum hits and a few soaring leads, keeping the piano for an eerie effect. I really enjoyed the more melancholic touches of this final song, adding a nice contrast of emotion to the rest of the album, successfully drawing the album out on quite a different note. Wonderfully done.

This release was a nicely put together work of more melodic Death Metal, with plenty of brutality but also gorgeous soaring harmonies and punchy attacks being well-spaced. While I was initially admittedly disappointed by the lack of HM-2 fuelled putridity, this release soon demanded respect with some tight Kataklysm styled grooves. All in all this was a pretty damn cool album. -7.5/10