Continuing the recent spate of superb self-released efforts from American bands, come Montana’s Martriden (named after a Norse nightmare inducing wraith) with their 4 song (though each song ranges for 5-7 minutes), demo that much like fellow melodic death metallers Empyrean Eclipse, deserve the attention of both labels and fans of exceptional music.

Though essentially falling under the vast melodic death metal umbrella, Martriden, with lengthy songs, expansive segues, synths and a slightly cerebral, experimental edge, will have some appeal with Opeth fans, but don’t seem as self pretentious or Proggy/70's obsessed. The Dave Otero (Cephalic Carnage, Summon, Throcult) production is fantastic and basically all this EP needs is a label’s stamp, as its already as well packaged and presented as anything signed.

In a nut shell, three of the four songs here has some sort of absolutely killer moment or section t that makes the demo required listening all the way through. Be it the stunning melodic peaks/solos of opener “Blank Eye Stare”, (2:55-3:42, 5:16- end), the superb melodic canter and acoustic segue of “In Death We Burn”, and rounded out by the brilliant melodic riffs, solos and chord progressions that lace lavish closer “Set A Fire In Our Flesh”. Only “The Art of Death Infernal” doesn’t strike a perfect chord, but is a perfectly competent, more technical death metal foray.

With bands like this, Empyrean Eclipse, The Green Evening Requiem, The Fifth Sun and Gynnbleidd, it appears the American Underground is alive and well and doesn’t need Century Media or Nuclear Blast’s seal of metalcore approval to deliver spectacular metal.