Karma in Black

I was so excited when I first heard about this band. Firstly, because one magazine's review was saying wonders; and secondly, because, starring, are members of Darkane - one hell of a band - and Soilwork. Not just any member, but Henry Ranta, the killer drummer. There were absolutely no reasons for me not to listen to "Karma in Black". It was almost like I could say it was the shit, without even listening to it first.
So, the first times I listened to this CD I REALLY thought it was the shit. I couldn't stop telling people about how great it was, and how Henry Ranta was in it and also that Bjorn was once, etc etc. However, I do listen to many CDs (especially new releases), and rarely have the time to give them the attention they deserve. That was the case of The Defaced, until this afternoon, when I suddenly decided to give them what they were worth of.
"Fumes from the Swamp" and "Once in the Between". The vocal lines, kind of groovy, are great and remind me of Pantera's best days. After the two first songs, you can already tell it is, indeed, more accessible than Darkane.
There's a clear Layne Staley influence on Henrik's vocals. Yes, they're melodic, but this guy can also sing guttural and harsh like hell. Also, it's impossible to listen to these songs and not imagine how Bjorn Strid would sing them. He'd possibly perform them very particularly, too.
Although this record has many wonderful songs (Once in Between, 10 vs. 9, Forever Winding, Karma in Black) - and, I must say they all, without exceptions, have great, great choruses - there are also some repetitive and...Boring songs. That is actually the weakest point in this CD. Some songs sound very alike...and I miss Darkane sooo bad.