CD re-issue of the 4th album from 1998 by this legendary Swedish Death Metal band. Without a doubt one of their best and most acclaimed works!!
With Reborn Through Flames, Centinex returned in 1998 with a reinvigorated sense of purpose, sharpening their already lethal hybrid of Swedish death metal and blackened aggression. After the somewhat uneven Reflections, this fourth full-length marks a triumphant comeback to the band's raw and energetic roots, bolstered by a crisp, muscular production that allows the ferocity of their songwriting to truly shine.
The decision to abandon Abyss Studios and return to the legendary Sunlight Studios proves essential; the sound here is heavier, more defined, and utterly devastating. It captures the biting guitar tone that made early Swedish death metal so iconic, while still allowing room for melody and atmosphere to flourish within the chaos.
Opening track “Embraced by the Moonlight” sets the tone perfectly—beginning with a haunting piano passage before erupting into mid-tempo riffing that’s both melancholic and punishing. It's a perfect gateway into the rest of the record, which strikes a strong balance between cold, tremolo-driven blackened passages and crushing death metal rhythms. Tracks like “Through Celestial Gates” and “Summon the Golden Twilight” are standout examples of Centinex’s ability to merge savagery with sorrowful melody, often evoking the spirit of Sacramentum or early Necrophobic, but never feeling derivative.
There's also a noticeable uptick in memorable, razor-sharp riffs across the board. Whether it’s the morbid groove of “Molested” or the desolate yet triumphant leads in “The Beauty of Malice,” every track is packed with purpose and intent. The vocals remain raw yet comprehensible, complementing the atmosphere without overpowering it, and the rhythm section holds everything tightly together—even when veering into more chaotic territory.
Closing with a faithful and fiery cover of Kreator’s “Under the Guillotine,” Centinex pay homage to thrash’s influence on their sound, rounding out the album with one last burst of relentless energy.
Reborn Through Flames is more than just a solid return to form—it’s arguably one of Centinex’s strongest statements. For fans of Swedish black/death metal looking for a record that’s as memorable as it is merciless, this album delivers on every front.
Standout tracks: “Embraced by the Moonlight,” “Through Celestial Gates,” “Molested,” “Summon the Golden Twilight”
For die hards of: Necrophobic, Sacramentum, Dissection, Malevolent Creation (mid-era)
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