Being a big fan of this awesome melodic death metal band, I was very anxious to hear what they would do after their last effort “Flesh-Power-Dominion” which they released last year. Already, Callenish Circle found the time to write new material in-between tours and release “My Passion // Your Pain”, again through Metal Blade.

The album kicks off with an awesome thrash metal track entitled “Soul Messiah”. With fast drums, heavy yet melodic guitar riffs and a screaming voice that could be sent from hell’s mouth. Compared to the last effort, this Dutch band hasn’t changed one bit. Still going heavy, trying to expand their boundaries in the metal scene; unlike fellow melodic death metal bands (also referred to as Gothenburg or Swedish metal bands) In Flames and Soilwork, and Callenish Circle has become the heaviest in the scene, in my honest opinion. This time, there are no covers present on the album itself (except for the bonus track, which is a Pestilence cover).

The pace slows down somewhat with the whamming “What Could Have Been…”.

This track changes the pace and features deeper grunts than vocalist Patrick Savelkoul does on the rest of this record; a song that is a definite fest for the head bangers, so to speak.

Other than that track “My Passion // Your Pain” is mostly filled with hard hitting tracks that display the true melodic death metal, just the way the older fans like it. The fast paced drums definitely are one to notice, as drummer Gavin Harte beats the skin off of his drum kit with immense precision and power.

This combined with the incredibly fat sound makes this release one of the best Callenish Circle records ever recorded. If you are disappointed with what In Flames and Soilwork are doing recently, but still like Dark Tranquility and Arch Enemy, this album is one hell of an addition to your CD collection. Callenish Circle have outdone themselves once again. There’s only one thing left to say: Hail Callenish Circle!