Darkness Everywhere – The Seventh Circle
Release Date: 25th February 2022
Label: Creator-Destructor Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
FFO: At the Gates, Dark Tranquillity, The Black Dahlia Murder.
Review By: Rick Farley
Oakland, California based Melodic Death Metal Band Darkness Everywhere are set to release their debut EP, The Seventh Circle. Formed in late 2020 the band is heavily influenced by the classic mid-1990s Swedish Melodic Death Metal bands. Early In Flames, Dark Tranquillity and At the Gates are clearly the soundscape that pushes this trio’s core sound. Darkness Everywhere also share an unrestrained and modern take on the genre with bands such as The Black Dahlia Murder and Darkest Hour. The band flaunts their influences unapologetically and rips through six songs of thrashy tempo and Gothenburg style melodies. At times throughout The Seventh Circle, I feel like I’ve heard this album already, but there’s something unique and compelling about this band that I haven’t totally put my finger on just yet. Maybe it’s the idea that their sound is so recognizable, yet they are unashamed and have the freedom to just fucking go for it. Not caring about current trends or the idea that this genre has been poorly overdone in the past to no end. That takes balls and I respect that.
Admittedly, though, at first listen I was a bit underwhelmed. All too familiar sounding, the guitars were aggressive with fast riffs and dual harmonies; the drums had that thrashy downbeat that drove the tempos from blasting to slower grooves. The vocals were off-putting at first, with a yelling style scream reminiscent of “Core” vocals. Not off to a great start, it sounded like I had heard this band a thousand times before. I listened to it a few more times, trying to figure how I was going to write a review of something that seemed so blatant without completely bashing it. So, I waited a full day and busted out Dark Tranquillity’s, “The Gallery” and reminded myself why the genre is so damn good in the first place. Mind you, The Seventh Circle does not sound like “The Gallery” by any means. Musically it’s much more aggressive and the vocals are a bit different, but the overall feel is there, the sick guitar tone, the aesthetics, the harmonies, the balance between melody and aggression. It’s all there.
So, l listened again and again until I came to the realization that it doesn’t have to be new or ground-breaking. By the end of the fifth listen, I knew that it was much better than I initially thought. The Seventh Circle, including the now I get it vocals, grew on me rather quickly. Sometimes the best way of discovering music is to just let it be what it is. Plain and simple this is good aggressive Melodic Death Metal, it’s straight to the point, well written, well produced, and reminds me why those mid 90’s albums are so legendary to begin with. It’s just fucking good music, and it turns out Darkness Everywhere are pretty great at writing it.
However, this is only an EP, and the songs are on the short side, so it’s hard to judge fully without hearing everything as a whole. But it seems like a safe bet that the future’s bright for this band, and I can’t wait to hear what’s to comes.
In short, Darkness Everywhere are playing up to their strengths and releasing familiar music that’s done extremely well. They play exactly what they like, and that in of itself is refreshing. There’s a unique subtly present on The Seventh Circle that takes this band past the usual batch of copycat bands. You may take to it immediately or, like me, need a little time, but it’s a headbanging, enjoyable listen that’s sure to please all “The Slaughter of the Soul” fanatics out there. A contemporary and refreshing, good take on those glorious albums. 
(3.5 / 5)
