Melisend is Dutch band formed in 2002 by Arjan Stierman and Martijn van Lune, they took the name Frozen Candles. After a few line-up changes the bind decides to chance their band name into Melisend. A name one of the band members came up with after a vacation in Israel. Still they hadn’t find a stable line up, short after the change of name guitar player Roos was replaced by Jan Wisselink, who also left the band quite soon after his arrival. Up till now another two guitar players came and went, and now the band operates as a four piece band still seeking for a fifth member.

The demo 2005 consists out of six well performed doom/death metal tracks (not including the intro). I still miss a little diversity between the songs, but this band is absolutely on the right way. All songs show typical doom/death metal with lots of influences from the early Anathema, My Dying Bride but also a lot of early Orphanage.

The songs still sound a bit like each other but due to some up-tempo thrash/death riffs and a play time of only half an hour that is not a big problem. Arjan Stierman turns out to be a very strong lead singer, weather it are low growls or high scream, none seems to be a problem for him.

Melisend’s 2005 demo is nice doom/death demo from a band that is absolutely on the right way. Melisend has absolutely shown they are capable of writing good songs.
In their bio they tell they are still in doubt whether they should take a second guitar player or a keyboard player, I’d say; take a keyboard player. It will be very good for the diversity between the songs.