ARTERY from France returns with their fifth studio album, “Last Chance,” after a six-year hiatus. Formed in 2005, the band has evolved significantly, moving away from their Thrash roots towards a more technical and progressive Death Metal sound. This album marks a bold artistic shift, following their previous effort, “Deep Nature”. Clocking in at 57 minutes, “Last Chance” showcases a line-up featuring Thierry (guitar), Uelcos (guitar), Micka (drums), Julien Rejoint (bass) and Greg (vocals). The album is a dense tapestry of heavy riffs and melodic elements, demonstrating the intricate musicianship by these French troopers and their commitment to pushing boundaries within their genre. The opening track sets a compelling tone, while ‘Welcome Inside The Game’ delivers intense vocal performances and technical prowess, though some may find the clean singing jarring against the aggressive backdrop. The next numbers ‘Rebirth’, ‘Dictatorship In Blood’, ‘Measered Suffering’, ‘Lost In The Turmoil’, ‘Invisible’, ‘Prediction’ and the last number ‘The Lie We Live In’ follow up on the songwriting patterns and atmosphere set by the opening number. The production, managed entirely by the band, offers a polished yet raw sound that complements the album’s suffocating technicality. However, feelings on the modern production style can be mixed based on taste; some listeners may find it lacks the grit, and others may find this sound good for exposing the technical efficiencies. “Last Chance” is packaged in a 4-panel digipak with an 8-page booklet, featuring Lovecraftian inspired artwork by Clik Artworks. To find out more about the band and label, please visit www.facebook.com/arteryfrance or www.facebook.com/greatdanerecords.