Having been instrumental in pioneering the now infamous "Gothenburg Sound" over a decade ago with their once unique brand of melodic death metal, Dark Tranquility are very much now the aging champs defending their title against far too many new up and comers to count. With "Character", their latest in a long line of albums, they prove they aren't ready to relinquish their spot anytime soon as they return to their roots for their most aggressive outing in years.

Evolution and risk has been somewhat of a staple for the band and they've alienated many along the way as a result. With "Character" these prolific Swedes have seemingly taken notice, recapturing the sound of mid-90's Gothenburg heyday and augmenting it with a creative tinge of modern relevancy. Haunting keyboards play a considerable role in helping them achieve this, as gothic melodies augment the bands razor-sharp riffing and asphyxiated bellows and screams, making for numerous larger than life sounding moments.

While bands like At The Gates disbanded and In Flames, who once used to revel in a similar genre, have gravitated to an already outdated modern-metal approach; Dark Tranquillity have decided to stay their course and "Character" is their reward for doing so. Easily one of the most stunningly accomplished Swedish melodic death metal albums heard in years, its scope, sheer heaviness and uncompromising demeanor are all outstanding. The inclusion of some progressive electronic programming and more only go further to showcase a band empowered by a much-needed rebirth.

The only real problem with it, aside from some meandering moments and a relative lack of song to song experimentation, is that its impact has been greatly reduced by the hordes of other bands out there who have already led this style of music to an overflowing grave. For the diehards out there who are still eager to hear some prime melodic death metal, this album is a godsend. But for everyone else, this character is already far too familiar, no matter how well portrayed it is this time around.