Helix

Helix is the fifth album, drawing the boundaries of modern metal, electronic rock and pop even more sharply. Released on Spinefarm in October 2018. It's the first album with Dynazty's Nils Molin, who replaced Jake E, and it was finished at an astonishing pace — two months writing, two months recording. Three distinct voices from Elize Ryd, Molin and Henrik Englund give the same melody different temperatures and move the material in three dimensions. Olof Mörck and Ryd were the writing core, and it was again recorded at Hansen Studios with Jacob Hansen. The low-tuned guitars and hard programmed-sounding textures are plenty heavy, but when the chorus arrives the view opens at once and the melody surfaces clearly. On “365,” “Countdown” and “Helix,” aggression and catchiness aren't set against each other but used to lift each other up. Because riff edge, electronic hooks and vocal handoffs are organized within short spans, the songs' core never wavers despite the density. Gathering weight, brilliance and immediacy into one flow, this is among the clearest demonstrations of the band's individuality.