Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Italy's Descent Into Maelstrom, the work of Andrea "Maelstrom" Bignardi, is death metal of a whole different breed. You get your growls, your aggressive riffs and staccato blast beats in droves. But what sets this album apart for me is the unique songwriting and composition utilized by Bignardi. The melodic death metal sound is abundantly clear but the use of madrigals-- medieval styled acoustic pieces--creates this crazy dynamic of singing, swirling distorted guitars and beautiful, introspective acoustic soundscapes. I've not heard anything quite like this in some time and the use of the acoustic elements really adds to the overall atmosphere. The band and this album, were inspired by the Gothic Literature of Poe and Horace Walpole, to name a few and you can hear the references to these sources of inspiration throughout the lyrics. I am very impressed by the musicality and originality exhibited on this album and highly recommend this if you're looking for death metal that breaks the boundaries.