Proving that post- need not originate in Germany, Sweden's abandon any lingering notions of in their cribs (i.e.: early demos) and heartily embrace such standard genre devices as glass-shattering vocals, gang choruses, staccato riffs, pyrotechnic solos, and speedy double kick-drums. Now old hats at the melodic trade -- and proud of it -- have made sure that their sixth studio album, 2004's comes packed full of ten technically proficient examples thereof. The fact that all ten of these songs last no less than four- and no more than six-minutes each, and are invariably arranged into 's excessively predictable (but always successful) verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-solo-verse-chorus structure, is of course the very reason why many fans prefer their style's unorthodox inventiveness; but this album is clearly not meant for them now, is it? No chance! Instead, by alternately affecting thrashing intensity and stately metallic marching, songs like the opening title track, and slot right into the above-stated stereotypes, with only the bridge section of the more diversely paced showing any sign of risk-taking thanks to guitarists 's more syncopated guitar attack. Otherwise, its business as usual for , whose admittedly predictable and even simplistic (within reason) formula, is also obviously effective in its own way. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia