We Metal fans have never been as blessed as we are these days. New bands are popping up everywhere, new releases from new bands, new releases from old bands, new releases from old, reformed bands, with hints of original or not. Old and dusty demos are being released from everywhere in the world, forgotten music is dug up, records that didn’t make it, back in the golden ages of all Metal genres, are being re-released as gold. We are swimming in great releases, old revitalized records as new recordings. All that brings us on to this quite new German band. IN THIS HELL is ready with their debut full length on the likewise German label Trollzorn. Before this release the band has released the EP “There Are No Voices” with three raw renditions of tracks, also found on “Bliss”. There have also been two singles released digitally, leading up to this release. The band is delivering a modern take on blackened Death Metal with a solid dose of thrashing, groovy riffing and rhythm patterns. A thick and heavy sound, pounding away. There is a feel about THE CROWN’s senseless pounding, as they did it, when they were at their best – though just not with the same clever songwriting and melodic touch. The invocation of a dark and somber atmosphere doesn’t really work, as the music production is so dense and, in your face, so the shifts in atmospheres with tones, vocals or ambience, most of the time drown in brutality. There are some things about this release I have grown to like, during the many listens. To be honest I wasn’t a big fan, after the first few listens. The senseless brutality does something for me, I am also a fan of the main guitar tone. It reminds me of something I have been trying to put my finger on, without any luck. At times the vocals also work quite well, within the context of the songs. On the other hand, the dense and over-gained production / mastering doesn’t leave any room for details, and that is quite tiring for my delicate ears. Much of the album does also sound the same, as much of the variation drowns out, due to the denseness and all instruments and vocals being on almost the same level. The album does some good, though I am quite sure I won’t give this album many spins in the future. Look into that darkness shall be eternal: www.facebook.com/inthishellofficial, www.facebook.com/trollzorn