Review: Engel – Blood of Saints

Rated:

4/5

With their masterful third album, Engel—the electronica-laced side project of In Flames’ guitarist Niclas Engelin—easily steps out of the considerable shadow their axman’s other band. The group’s discriminating use of electronic flourishes accent and elevate the powerful musicianship without ever coming across as gimmicky or forced. Meanwhile, vocalist Magnus Klavborn successfully channels the intensity and occasional ferocity of Korn’s Jonathan Davis and In Flames’ Anders Fridén without aping either, bringing a hauntingly tormented aura to songs such as “One Good Thing” and the epic concluding number “Journey’s End.” Bloody good. JEREMY BORJON

Check out “One Good Thing” off Blood of Saints below: