UMUR
"Hellbrigade" is the fifth full-length studio album by Swedish death metal act Centinex. The album was released through Repulse Records in August 2000. It´s the successor to "Reborn Through Flames" from July 1998. There have been several lineup changes since the last album and only bassist Martin Schulman and lead guitarist Kenneth Wiklund remain from the lineup who recorded the predecessor. The most significant change compared to "Reborn Through Flames" is however that Centinex has added drummer Kennet Englund to the ranks as the last couple of albums featured drum programming instead of a human drummer.
When that is said it´s actually not the most audible change in the band´s music on "Hellbrigade"...which instead is the slightly more blackened and atmospheric touch to Centinex´s melodic old school death metal which have crept into the band´s music (the vocals are now blackened snarling rather than deep growling). The raw and gritty production values also stand in stark contrast to the clear, defined, and detailed sound production of "Reborn Through Flames", but although it was for once nice to hear Centinex music packed in a professional sounding production, the more savage and raw sounding production on "Hellbrigade" ultimately suits the band´s music better. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.