I know what
you're thinking: why is Jason reviewing an Insomnium album? The band's very
foundation is harsh vocals! Well, I have to admit that there are a few bands
that I like despite the harsh vocals. Insomnium is one of these bands. I saw
them live when they opened for Epica in Cleveland a few years ago, and I've been
enthralled ever since because of their unique melodies. So, when I saw their new
album "Shadows of the Dying Sun" releasing, I had to hear it.
Insomnium
are certainly a progressive-leaning melodic death metal band. They feature heavy
guitars, soaring lead guitars, incredible drumming, and both harsh and clean vox.
The first thing that I noticed about Insomnium is their incredible ability to
form clean, complex melodies from guitars alone. In fact, many of their melodies
are far more mature than bands with keys or some other such instrument. Combine
the melodic leads with the grinding, dark riffing and technical drums galore,
and you will have a blackened sonic journey worth hearing. Unfortunately, the
bass always seems to get lost in the mix, as there is just so much going on
here.
The harsh
vox are a typical dark raspy sound that I feel doesn't detract from the music.
In fact, I quite like them by the end of the the album. However, the clean
vocals are harmonies between Niilo Sevänen (the primary vocalist) and Ville
Friman (guitarist), and they are amazing. "Lose to Night" is almost completely
clean vocally, and it happens to be my favorite track on the album. The music
sounds so incredible, but even more amazing with the clean vox. Honestly, I
really wish they'd do an album with all clean vocals.
That
said, this album is amazing. Every song is melodically genius, from the
beautiful intro "The Primeval Dark" to the constant barrage of technical mastery
in "While We Sleep" and the rest of the tracks. My favorites besides "Lose to
Night" are "The Promethean Song" and the title track, both of which feature
stronger, more complex structures and more variety in softer and heavier
sections.
Insomnium
are a guilty pleasure for me, and "Shadows of the Dying Sun" is another treat,
maybe even their best album. Not one track drags on too long. Not one track
misses the melodic mark. The incredible, dark soundscapes serve to elevate the
listener to an oddly beautiful complexity. Amazing work from these metallers,
and I hope they find success in it.
