About.com Rating

Torchbearer is a Swedish supergroup of sorts, containing members of several bands including Scar Symmetry, Satariel and Angel Blake. Their second release is a concept album about World War I, mainly the Battle Of Jutland, a huge naval clash between Germany and England.

The songs combine string and electronic interludes and battle sound effects with blackened thrash and death metal. Scar Symmetry vocalist Christian Älvestam plays guitar along with Divinefire's Patrik Gardberg, and they do a great job transitioning from brutal riffs to technical solos at the drop of a hat.


Satariel's Pär Johansson is the band's vocalist, and his death metal growls add just the right element of brutality. This is a satisfying album that has the technical chops, interesting concept and plenty of intensity.