Sönambula – Bicéfalo

Band: Sönambula 
Title: Bicéfalo
Label: Xtreem Music
Release Date: 18th December 2018
Country: Spain
Format reviewed: Digital Promo

Last December, Spain’s own SÖNAMBULA unleashed their album Bicéfalo, the highly anticipated follow-up to the successful 2016 debut Secuela. SÖNAMBULA is a relatively young band, formed in 2015 by death metal veteran Rapha Decline, a founding member of both Typhareth and Decline. SÖNAMBULA have a seasoned, yet dynamic sound that draws influence from the Death metal greats of yesteryear while also exuding elements of doom, sludge, and black metal. This amalgamation has resulted in the band being difficult to categorize. The raw, heavy components have drawn parallels to such bands as Winter, Entombed, Autopsy, and Asphyx, which hints at the band’s calibre and musicianship, however, what SÖNAMBULA delivers is still very modern, fresh and uniquely their own.

“Bicéfalo” is a fitting continuation from SÖNAMBULA‘s previous releases, staying true to the band’s unique style. It offers up seven tracks of brutal, iron-fisted metal accompanied by dark alluring Spanish lyrics. The production value seems a little higher on this album which punches out the high-end characters satisfactorily without detracting from the low, raw elements of the band’s signature sound. The album caters to many tastes and depending on whether you are drawn to sombre, oppressive melodies, wailing guitars or blast beats and rasping vocals different tracks will reach out to clench you into submission. For me, the opening track “Mutación Sintética” is a standout on the album, with heavy death vocals over slow doom riffs, sprinkled with the occasional spine-chilling high-end guitar. Other highlights include “Detritus” which features further stunning guitar solo work and “Colección Macabra” with its catchy melodies. This album truly feels like it has something for everyone, and for those who have been anticipating another installment from SÖNAMBULA, you can rejoice for this is a quality delivery. “Bicéfalo” proves that lightning can strike twice for SÖNAMBULA and shows us why this band is one worthy of your attention. This album is definitely worth sinking your teeth into so if you’re interested in grabbing a copy of your own head on over to the Xtreem music Bandcamp page and support a solid release. 7/10 Proua Metallist

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