Their 7th album already and with this album you certainly can't call The Haunted a thrash band any longer. They have developed their style even more and added a lot more modern elements. Besides more melody there is also added groove in the songs. "Never better" is a fine example of what to expect from the album. With clean and aggressive singing and lots of melody it sets the standard for the rest of the album.
You can hear elements and influences of bands like Corrosion of Conformity "No Ghost" and in "All Ends Well", a band like Velvet Revolver isn't far away either. Isn't there any heavy and aggressive stuff on the record then? Yes of course, in "The City" for example the harsh throat of Peter Dolving is still combined with heavy guitar riffs. You must give this band credit for not copying themselves album after album, but I don't know if the fans that liked the band because of the first albums will be all happy with it.
I suggest everyone to listen closely and then make up your mind. Thrash fans have been warned and don't have to expect this to be The Haunted from the first albums. Definitely not a bad album, but I must be honest; I had to listen to it several times to make up my mind, for what it is worth.
