Til The End - Self-Titled

We begin with 'From The Beginning (Genesis)', where atmospheric sounds resembling rising waves slowly introduce us to the album. Subtle guitar tones emerge from the background before percussion and bass gradually join in, giving the short piece an almost folk-like character. Rather than revealing too much, the intro quietly builds anticipation for what lies ahead.

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'Lava' then serves as the real opener, immediately throwing us into fast and melodic death metal before suddenly pulling back into a darker, slower passage with an almost spoken vocal delivery. Melodic guitar work continues underneath before the heaviness returns, joined by deep growls and effective doubled vocals. A prominent bass line adds further depth, while the guitars lean towards the more technical side without losing sight of the melody. The rapid opening pace resurfaces several times, keeping the momentum high despite the constant shifts in tempo. Add an extensive and skilfully played solo, a surprisingly restrained chorus section and some sharp staccato riffing towards the end, and 'Lava' proves both varied and immediately engaging.

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'These Little Voices' once again begins on an emotional and atmospheric note, gradually settling into a steady, head-nodding rhythm. Dark, sinister spoken vocals mingle with harsher screams, while subtle clean voices in the background almost seem to embody the titular "little voices". The composition occasionally feels a little long-winded, although its drawn-out nature may well be intentional. Particularly effective is a melodic solo that slowly works its way through the vocals before finally stepping into the spotlight. Brief increases in pace add some variation, but the repeated sections and guitar-heavy approach ultimately leave the track passing me by somewhat. There are plenty of strong individual ideas here, especially in the guitar work, but as a whole it doesn't quite pull me in. 

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A subtle heartbeat introduces 'Awakening', and in a way, it represents exactly what TIL THE END put into their music: plenty of heart and energy. Clean vocals initially lead the way before the track erupts into a much more aggressive death metal attack, combining dirty Göteborg-style melodies with technical ability and considerable momentum. Forward-pushing drums and kicking riffs keep the atmosphere alive, while the choir-like passages fit surprisingly naturally into the composition. They work particularly well beneath the harsher vocal attacks, adding another melodic layer without taking anything away from their aggression. A strong mixture of speed, melody and musicianship.

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'Cemetery Trees' brings a considerable amount of groove into the picture, while once again showing a strong understanding of songwriting. I'm always drawn to the combination of raw, brutal vocals with powerful yet melodic instrumentation, and this track delivers plenty of both. The harsher vocal delivery carries real weight against the more melodic elements, allowing aggression and emotion to exist naturally alongside each other. The solo particularly stands out, hitting differently against those underlying tones and giving the track an additional emotional edge. 

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Closer 'Until The End' begins with a brooding bass line and restrained melodies, creating a calm yet suspenseful atmosphere beneath equally gentle vocals. That restraint eventually gives way to deeper growls and impressive riffing, before a beautiful piano passage around the two-minute mark suddenly strips away much of the aggression and replaces it with melancholy and quiet sadness. Even as the harsher vocals return, that melodic foundation remains, allowing both sides of the composition to exist alongside each other. The solo during the bridge carries an almost tangible sense of longing and absence, adding further emotional weight. Excellent songwriting, and a beautifully bittersweet way to bring the album to an end.

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With their self-titled album, TIL THE END delivers melodic death metal driven by strong musicianship, technical guitar work and a genuine sense of emotion. Raw aggression frequently collides with melancholic melodies, clean vocals and moments of impressive atmosphere. Not every composition hits with the same force, but when brutality and melody truly come together, Til The End shows just how much potential this band has. 

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SCORE 8.5/10

REVIEWED BY SWAMPY