There is something about Scandinavia which seems to breed brilliant bands, especially those who lean towards the styling’s of melodic death metal. Maybe it is something in the air or the water round that neck of the woods?
“Shadows Of The Dying Sun” is the sixth album from Insomnium, the melodic death metal four-piece and the follow up to the highly acclaimed 2011 release “One For Sorrow”. From the off, this album delivers what the band are renowned for – a dark yet melodic heavy sound which is created in such a way you are torn between listening to the music for what it is, or allowing yourself to be absorbed in the vast sonic landscape it creates.
The album’s opener, “The Primeval Dark” sets the tone for the album, it gradually builds up before it breaks in to the trademark sound the Finn’s are famed for, the heavy guitars, venomous growls and the clever use of synths to create a mood and it perfectly blends into the more upbeat, faster “While We Sleep” which makes clever use of melodic guitar lines, twin harmonies and clever shifts from clean to harsh vocals and guitars to make a solid overall sound. The rest of the album follows in a similar structure, heavy chords, fast riffs and melodies and vocals which compliment them, growls and cleans with synths to accent the progress of the song.
“Revelation” is full of intricate, fast paced guitar riffs which are punctuated by the verses and choruses with an epic solo and harmony ending, “Black Heart Rebellion” and “The River” are epic dark powerhouses with punishing guitars and sinister clean sections whilst “Lose To Night” is a slower paced sound which has some sense of doom to it with haunting clean vocals in the chorus and “Collapsing Words” is something which could have been taken straight out of the late 90’s Gothenburg scene with its fast paced riffing reminiscent of classic In Flames.
“Ephemeral” is a well known track – the single released earlier this year so there is little to be said about it – it is what it is, a classic example of what this band is capable of but in a more condensed form to get you hooked if you haven’t heard them before. “The Promethean Song” is another mood-setting number, slower than the rest of the album but just as heavy with its pounding drums and the way the guitars work together, stylish leads over steady chords and the alternation between clean and harsh vocals ranks it up there as one of the best tracks on the album.
The title track closes the album and it does not disappoint. A foreboding intro laced with synths, minimalistic guitar sounds paves way for a similar slow paced dark number. With lyrics like “And I feel it in my heart, And I know it in my mind, That’s all ever will be” over the harmony leads and crushing rhythm and synths towards the end of the song, it sets up the perfect ending as it fades out to a minimalistic piano ending.
“Shadows Of The Dying Sun” does not disappoint. It is an excellent album in both content and the way it creates such an atmosphere when listening to it. For fans of Insomnium this is a must and for those who are yet to hear this band and for those who are fans of the Scandinavian melodic death metal style, it is worth listening to as it proves not all death metal has to be fast to be heavy.
(8/10 Peter Thompson)
Leave a Reply