Saidan - Fangdriller: Scars Beneath Memory's Wrist (2026)
I enjoy this because it puts songwriting ahead of sheer aggression. The riffs stick, the lead guitars carry real personality, and the visual kei influence gives the album a flavor that separates it from many contemporary melodic black metal releases. It has energy, confidence and enough melodic instinct to stay engaging from beginning to end.
At the same time, I never feel completely absorbed by it. The album is consistently entertaining, but it rarely pushes beyond its own strengths. Once the initial excitement settles, I start noticing familiar structural patterns and recurring melodic ideas that make the later songs feel less rewarding than the first ones. The production is also so clean that some of the raw tension and unpredictability naturally associated with black metal gets softened.
I come away appreciating the craftsmanship more than feeling emotionally overwhelmed. The record has a clear identity, plenty of memorable guitar work and a solid sense of momentum, but it doesn't dig deep enough emotionally or structurally to become something I keep returning to as a standout in the genre. It succeeds as a well-executed melodic black metal album, yet leaves me wanting a greater sense of consequence and lasting impact.
Pros
- The album delivers memorable melodic riffs that remain its biggest strength.
- The visual kei influence gives the music a recognizable identity without feeling forced.
- The pacing keeps the record engaging and avoids long stretches of repetition.
Cons
- The emotional weight never reaches the level suggested by the theatrical presentation.
- The songwriting follows familiar melodic black metal formulas more often than it initially seems.
- The polished production reduces the sense of danger and limits the album's impact.
Genre: Melodic Black Metal
Country: US
Final Verdict: 67% (Good Album)
Yearly Ranking: 78th / 507
Highlight: Kara No Bara
Made me think of:
Uada
Dödsrit
#newalbum #newalbum2026 #albumrelease #newmusic #albumoftheday #nowspinning #NowPlaying #musicdiscovery
#MelodicBlackMetal #Saidan #US
#LP #Album #release
