England's Retribute Records have released quite a few interesting records by now and their newest release The Shattering Begins from Swedish death metallers The Shattering is no exception either. The style is technical death metal with a groove feel. It's comparable to their countrymen in Spawn Of Possession and other bands like Necrophagist and Death, but without directly sounding like any of the aforementioned. The arrangements and structures in the songs witness of a thoroughly structured and varied effort that leaves little to point fingers at.

The album got lots of loony drumming and awkward riffing as well as a good deal of groove, not to mention some very good leads. Songs like "Enter Bullets", "Scream of the Butterfly" and "Digging Up the Dead" proves this to the full. Another plus is the production which balances perfectly between being clear, but still with a heavy and crisp feel. It fits the music very well as it doesn't make it sound too sterile or clinical.

The Shattering Begins may not differ a whole lot from so much else out there, but still I think it's safe to say that The Shattering have found a somewhat independent sound. If you like death metal that is a bit different from what is mostly released then The Shattering Begins is definitely worth a closer listen.