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Album Stream: Encyrcle - s/t

encyrcle cover sm.THUMB

Add Denmark’s Encyrcle to 2015’s growing crop of powerful classic-style bands. Night Demon and Visigoth pack more obvious hooks, but Encyrcle have a sneering sense of attitude that some of their peers lack.

They call themselves nocturnal speed metal, but what that really means is (fittingly for a Danish band) they sound like they listen to a whole ton of Mercyful Fate. Riding that train of influence hasn’t been white hot since 2011, but Encyrcle are going all-in with that creative choice anyway.

The first half of their self-titled debut is charming if straight-laced speped metal, albeit with a slight black metal edge. The second half, however, contains most of the record’s personality and interesting ideas, including a more creepy atmosphere. A fair few critics said the new Tribulation album would have been improved by clean singing, and when they hit their stride, Encyrcle give a good idea as to what such an album might sound like,

—Joseph Schafer

Encyrcle drops on June 2 via Unspeakable Axe/Dark Descent. Follow Encyrcle on Facebook.