Less doom, more soul; Swedish doom outfit Avatarium, now approaching veteran status, have taken an age to find their niche, but, on new album, the unwieldily-monikered Between You, God, The Devil and The Dead, you really get the feeling they’ve finally got there.

By some way their most satisfying, complete and rounded release, BY,G,TDATD is the perfect mix of Marcus Jidell‘s woozy, hazy rifferamas, the rock solid rhythmic presence of Mats Rydström and Andreas Johansson and, as ever, the towering vocal presence of Jennie-Ann Smith, who once again delivers a performance across the eight tracks here that few will be able to match over the course of the net twelve months.

Her commanding style, all restrained languor and coiled rage, is the ultimate foil for Jidell’s songwriting; Over the grinding riffage of Being With The Dead it becomes a tool of war, over the tender musings of Lovers Give A Kingdom To Each Other it delivers a message of hope and everlasting peace; both styles are truly momentous, and there isn’t a moment on this record that isn’t deliciously gilded by Smith’s prowess. On the final, standout title track, the first half of which could easily be heard on a streaming platform near you soon as the theme of a noir cop show, sees her deliver one of the performances of her career to date, and I defy anyone not to be moved by it’s mix of intensity and grace.

Jidell adds some moody keyboard accompaniment to his expected guitar majesty; An understated player, he truly knows how to weave the sonic tapestries that best support Smith’s voice, always leavening the classic metal bombast with a classy psychedelic blues edge that’s timeless in quality without ever falling into self indulgence. Have a listen to the superb instrumental Notes From Underground for proof, where he shows just how it’s possible to shred tastefully and with restraint…

Another great album from this quartet then, and, although they move further away from their Candlemass origins by the day, this is an album that will appeal to anyone who’s enjoyed the band’s output in the past.