Dark Funeral ‎"Attera Totus Sanctus" CD

Well, after hearing their diabolical CD Diabolis Interium (especially songs like Heart of Ice and Hail Murder) I thought they couldn't get any better. Man, was I wrong.
This album begins by hitting you upside the head (yet with some really good riffs) with King Antichrist. Though I do say that Dark Funeral REALLY have to work on the lyrics, the riffs are about 100x better than their last release. Hauntingly melodic, they have sort of a distant, removed feel to them, coupled with poignant emotion not found in other Dark Funeral releases.
The drumming is nothing new, except faster and more dynamic than their previous stuff. Matte Modin is a hairy beast, his blastbeats are terrifyingly fast. Just incredible. I give 50 points just for Matte Modin.
Lord Ahriman, coupled with Chaq Mol on this CD, delivers much improved riffs. All of the problems of the past CD's (predictability, emptiness, repitition) are solved on this CD. About 90% of the riffs are very original, to the point that I am completely surprised. The guitarists integrate a wall of sound rhythm, with a lead that basically arpeggiates what the rhythm is doing. It's a great approach, and works in Dark Funeral's favour.
Emperor Magnus Caligula delivers a performance with more gutteral and pained vocals than Dark Funeral's last release. His voice is beginning to sound like another swedish metal band, Meshuggah. Odd. Not to worry, it only helps. He sounds angry and pained at the same time. The vocal delivery is a lot more original and memorable than previous releases.
Production-wise, it's a tad more earthy than Diabolis Interium, though equally brutal. The drums have a very mighty, earthy sound to them (thank the producer) and the guitars are not so, well, machine-like as Diabolis Interium. Likewise, this album wasn't recorded at Abyss studios. Oh well.
Dark Funeral also explores the slower sound pioneered by the song Goddess of Sodomy on almost all of the songs, as they've integrated that into their general sound, though Godhate is just pure speed. Like digital methamphetemines. Songs like Attera Totus Sanctus and Atrium Regina are a bit slower, but also very enjoyable. Dark Funeral have managed to make a much more singular, haunting, well written, monumental album with this.
Though upon first listen it is very similar to Diabolis Interium, subsequent listens prove otherwise.

Sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...