A review that acts as a part two from The previous review done by Metal Is Good And Stuff that you can read here.

Melodic Death Metal
Sweden/USA

Released 13th February, 2026

Rogga Johansson barely stops for breath before teaming up with some death metal regality for another look into the death metal kaleidoscope.

It’s not enough that he has been involved in releasing full albums with (deep breath)… Dead Sun, Furnace, Heir Corpse One, House By The Cemetery, Leper Colony, Paganizer, Putrevore, Ribspreader, Those Who Bring The Torture, War Magic and his solo effort over the last year, Mr Johansson slots another LP in there for good measure.

Oh, and let’s not forget the upcoming LP from Skeletal Spectre, titled Keeping The Cauldron Warm (releasing 27th of March).
Is there a chance that Mr Johansson could leave some band names for the rest of us, please?
To make it a rounded dozen, Rogga has once again teamed up with Inhuman Condition members Jeramie Kling and Taylor Nordberg to bring us DARKBORNE, EYE OF PURGATORY’s third album, and it would appear that melodic death metal can be quite brutal when needed.

DARKBORNE opens with the titular track, and the mix of synth and guitars instantly remind me of In Flames, Children Of Bodom and, by extension, Janne Wirrman’s post CoB band Warmen. Albeit this being a more blackened, aggressive approach. It is a lively little livener where drummer/keyboardist Nordberg supplies a sultry guitar solo for good measure.

WHEN THE BEACON TURNS BLACK is a swampy, Tampa Bay delight where the synth intervals add a bit of charm to the grooves and blastbeats.  This is a trend that crops up again on BODYJUMPER where those In Flames sensibilities blend well with Johansson’s hornet-nest-in-a-bucket guitar tone. By that, I mean no disrespect. It’s a tone that does a lot of heavy lifting on the album.

Other highlights include FORMLESS FIGURES DANCE and the final track, THE DARK DEPARTURE. Both of which are catchy melodeath bangers, complete with earworm riffs and head bobbing choruses.

Of the albums that I have heard from the plethora already released by Rogga, EYE OF PURGATORY lies between Paganizer’s punishing traditionalism and Ribspreader’s brutal groove. By adding some extra colour, DARKBORNE is putting toe tapping accessibility to Mr Johansson’s brand of death metal.

DARKBORNE, the latest album by EYE OF PURGATORY is out now, via APOSTASY RECORDS and available on streaming platforms.

Or visit the Apostasy Records website here.