The Haunted

Versus

[4/5]

Versus, the sixth Haunted album (and third since original frontman Peter Dolving returned and the band signed to Century Media), is a powerful effort with all the melody, pummeling rhythms and furious vocals fans have come to expect. Like many Swedish metal bands, the Haunted know their strengths and hew to a kind of sonic mission statement. The Björler brothers (Anders, guitar; Jonas, bass) bring a tight familial bond to their thrashy riffing, just as they did with At The Gates. Dolving’s singing is leagues beyond his peers; he moves from a genuine gutsy blues feel to a full-throated roar, shifting among three or four different voices depending on the needs of the material. He’s one of the best metal frontmen alive, and the Haunted spend Versus’ 11 tracks proving they’re one of extreme/underground metal’s best bands. (CENTURY MEDIA) Phil Freeman