So, here we are, with yet another melodic death metal album. There have been a lot of similar releases like Fields Of Salvation, the albums keep coming and most of them are below average. How can we tell one is killer, another is not? Let’s explore this third full-length album by Burden Of Grief, before we draw any conclusions.

They kick off with “Desaster And Decay”, the intro gives a slightly messy impression but it flows into an aggressive though still melodic song full of death grunts which go on throughout the album. You will hear In Flames and Dark Tranquillity influences straight away, mixed up with some heavy metal tunes and screaming/growling vocals. The title-track, “Fields Of Salvation”, is an instrumental track with some good riffs and a catchy intro – definitely a song which should be heard loud, like all the other songs in fact.

Actually, you aren’t really given a rest throughout the entire album, because the guys really seem to have to vent on this record. That isn’t a bad thing at all; aside from their skills and techniques the songs are full of power and force.

Now, does this album stand out from among the others? It’s got the skills, the strength, the roars, you name it, but to be ‘outstanding’ you need that final touch that makes an album rise above average. Fields Of Salvation is on the edge, but just doesn’t seem to reach it, their work is too regular. I am not saying regular is bad – not at all – but regular cannot amount to an outstanding, or a so-called killer album.