Unbroken

German gothic pioneers CREMATORY have released a new single, "The Downfall". The track is taken from CREMATORY's 15th album, "Unbroken", due on March 6 via Napalm Records. "The Downfall" offers the powerful reincarnation of the sinister CREMATORY universe: opening bell-bright, devilish sounds in addition to Felix Stass's rough and scratchy vocals underline the night-black narrative. Dark-yet-melodic guitar lines mixed with staccato rhythms make this song a true eye opener and emphasize that the band is right back in the middle of the musical black ceremony. With "Unbroken", the German pioneers of gothic metal present 15 energetic tracks boasting brutal riffs, deep growls and tight drum grooves — proving their diversity even after almost 30 years in the business. In addition to the concise influences of Neue Deutsche Härte, "Unbroken" appears as a bravura-piece in an industrial guise.

Welcome to the Panopticon of darkness! With Unbroken, the German pioneers of European Gothic Metal, CREMATORY, dare to perform a tightrope act in the somber void. 15 energetic tracks within brutal riffs, deep growls and tight drum grooves prove the band’s diversity — even after almost 30 years in business. The concise influences of Neue Deutsche Härte turn Unbroken into a bravura-piece in an industrial guise. The opening track of the album takes the listener into a darkly-nuanced soundscape, appeals to the strength and self-determination of the band and their fans, and allures with a certain kind of hymn character. The most contemplative CREMATORY album to date closes with the final tracks "As Darkness Calls", a powerful first class offer, and the emotional ballad "Like The Tides”.

As helpfully pointed out in the title, Chapter V: Unbent, Unbowed, Unbroken sees Swedish metal institution Hammerfall hoisting aloft the torch of power metal (unbent, unbowed, etc.) for the fifth full-studio album of their career. But "power" metal may no longer the best tag with which to describe the band, whose material here ("Blood Bound," "Fury of the Wild," "Born to Rule," etc.) is really better described as classic, vintage, or better yet, timeless heavy metal, if you will…