Hellsing - The Sun Will Never Rise [EP] (2011, Self-released)

Melodic death metal, often labeled as an "entry-level" metal genre featuring several easily accessible bands like Arch Enemy, In Flames and Amon Amarth, has fallen far from grace during the years. In retrospect melodic death metal was self-explanatory. It was death metal with more melody and focus not as brutal as the original death metal bands. Melodic death metal has since, however, devolved into a super melodic mutant of metalcore influences with barely any death metal left, in no small part due to the prominent Gothenburg scene of Sweden.

It's nice to hear that there are still a few melodic death metal bands out there that actually have a few death metal elements left. Though not predominantly death metal influenced, the Mexican band Hellsing features some damn sweet vocals from growler-in-chief Renan that reaks old school. At certain points one may even discern a small amount of doomy elements not entirely unlike newer Amorphis and early Orphaned Land, adding a some flavour to an otherwise relatively uninteresting mix. Though their good sense of pace, which to me is essential to metal music, is prominent the songs are ultimately one-dimensional with little variety, especially on the drum-front. After a few listens I detected the familiar sound of a certain cymbal... I had caught the scent of EZdrummer.

I'm being a little harsh on Hellsing's first EP "The Sun Will Never Rise" because melodic death metal is a genre that is hard to play well. It's a genre saturated by a myriad of mediocre or downright shitty bands, but at the same time is refined to perfection by others. The Mexican trio executes their chosen style well and they got it right with some of the songs. Other than the afforementioned vocals the soloing is also of a genuinely good quality. Production-wise "The Sun Will Never Rise" is spotless.

All these things come together and form a respectable 7/10 guitars. Fans of Amon Amarth, Dark Tranquillity and In Flames should not be disappointed and hopefully Hellsing have a bright future ahead of them. What I really miss is more attention to detail.

Tracklist:
1. The Rival
2. The Sun Will Never Rise
3. The Dark Side of the Moon
4. Razor
5. The Final Hour

HELLSING official site
HELLSING facebook page