UMUR
"Riders of the Apocalypse" is the debut full-length studio album by Swedish death/thrash metal act Demonoid. The album was released through Nuclear Blast Records in July 2004. Demonoid was formed in 2003 by guitarist Kristian Niemann, with the intent of releasing more extreme music than he was able to produce with his main act Therion. Niemann was soon joined by Therion frontman Christofer Johnsson, his brother Johan Niemann on bass, and drummer Rickard Evensand (Chimaira, Soilwork). The latter was also working with Therion at the time, which more or less makes Demonoid a Therion side-project. "Riders of the Apocalypse" is a concept album using elements from the biblical story of The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Stylistically the material on "Riders of the Apocalypse" is a blackened type of death/thrash metal with occasional symphonic elements. Minus the latter element fellow Swedes in Witchery is a valid reference. The album is quite varied and the band are obviously very conscious about when to use thrash metal riffs, when to use growling vocals, when to use more blackened screaming vocals, and when to add a clean vocal part. The use of symphonic keyboards is very tasteful and far removed from the omnipresent use of that element in Therion. If I didn´t know better I actually never would have guessed the Therion connection.
"Riders of the Apocalypse" is a very well produced album, featuring a powerful and detailed sound production, which suits the material perfectly. The musicianship is on a high level too (loads of great lead guitar work, sharp riffs, powerful drumming, and convincing aggressive vocals), and upon conclusion "Riders of the Apocalypse" is a high quality release through and through. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.