Sweden's ability to manufacture incredible bands is remarkable. Trial is yet another stellar Swedish faction taking after the fail-proof formula of Mercyful Fate and King Diamond, though Trial shows its influence in a more spiritual aspect, contrary to Portrait and In Solitude, whose styles show a tangible imprint of Mercyful Fate and King Diamond. "Vessel" reminds me of the intensity and break-neck brawn of Portrait meshed into In Solitude's ability to build a horrific atmosphere and prowl stealthily through the shadows. Trial's creative and mighty compositions are detailed, layered, and poignant enough to leave a massive imprint which carries the occult terror and mystery of Mercyful Fate/King Diamond, but are their own entities. Needless to say, "Vessel" is an extraordinary experience.It doesn't require an intuitive ear to dissect and pull apart the fantastic entrails of "Vessel." Trial balances on a thin line between relentless aggression and the presence of something enigmatic brewing up a foreboding sense of dread and maliciousness. It's most applicable to compare Trial to Portrait and In Solitude, both of whom found their niches on the bodies of King Diamond and Mercyful Fate. Trial feels like the next step in this movement, as the Mercyful Fate/King Diamond traits of the aforementioned bands do not reach out and touch the listener as they do on any proper Portrait or In Solitude release. The band's riffing patterns and compositional structures almost take on hues of other metal subgenres through complex arrangements and structures alongside the themes through which the album shines.
Trial is simply flawless in its pacing and carefulness. Slower songs like the title track and "Ecstasy Waltz" are subtle enough to convey tremendous depth while exploring creepy guitar notations and off-kilter rhythms without nullifying the group's vital intensity. The enamoring structuring of these tracks is significant; there are no issues found in songs running up to seven, eight, thirteen minutes. "Through Bewilderment," knocking on the door of nine minutes, is a spellbinding onslaught of relentless power and phenomenal guitar acrobatics pressed seamlessly into robust, up-tempo heavy metal riffing and unfiltered fury. The vocalist reminds me of Bruce Dickinson taking on an occult annotation, which helps to further transmit the many facets of "Vessel" into a complete, cohesive package.
No magic or mystery is lost while traversing the galloping frenzy of "A Ruined World" or the thirteen minutes of the titanic "Restless Blood," which strikes every factor of an excellent epic with unseen precision. "Vessel" has the essentials of any fantastic record nailed down emphatically. Rare is it to find a group that has the ability to brew up such an oppressive atmosphere while implementing a constant storm of wrath. There is no shortage of intriguing songs which remain sturdy and competent while plowing through mysterious compositions echoing tendencies of complex heavy metal. Don't let this wonderful surprise, no doubt one of 2015's finest records, slip away under the tidal wave of vapid metal albums pretending to have a tenth of the quality of "Vessel."
