While melodic death metal is normally dominated by the descendants of its Swedish founders, other countries have been making valiant melodic death outfits that often go unheard. While Canadian and American bands slowly begin to gain recognition, nothing is ever said about the few gems from Germany. The forerunners are easily those in Fragments of Unbecoming, an overlooked German melodic death act. Featuring the traditional growled vocals, blazing guitar harmonies, and crushing (almost grind-like) drums, Fragments is a solid band creating heavy and purely melodic death metal. While Skywards was a debut that showed more then just promise, Sterling Black Icon shines brightly on the horizon as listeners beg for its release.
