Anyone who read my review of Witherscape’s debut (rattling around elsewhere on Ave Noctum) knows the respect I already had for Dan Swanö as a musician, vocalist, producer and all-round smart-arse, but it was on that debut that he teamed up with fellow multi-instrumentalist Ragnar Widerberg to bring us a damn fine concept album of the highest quality. An excellent covers-littered EP followed, but I did fear that like many projects (coupled with Swanö’s ridiculously busy workload) that this might prove to be a short-lived venture. Not so, as I am chuffed to bits to report that 2016 brings us part 2 of that concept started in their debut.
It’s 50 years later (as touched upon on the EP), and there is even more misery and suffering waiting to befall the unfortunate souls within the house on a hellmouth in Northern Sweden (…hang on a minute…a Swedish place of misery and suffering? A kind of hell on earth? That’s Ikea on a Saturday isn’t it??!!). The story entwines itself around the musical stylings already cemented on those first two releases, but with subtle changes and embellishments here and there as you would expect from Witherscape.
And that musical style, like the story, has been refined and polished. There is still an undeniable nod towards classic King Diamond in both the lyrics and the music – though that’s where the comparison ends as the vocals see Swanö bringing some of his clean guise a little closer to his harsh with varying doses of gravel, giving the transitions between the two styles more fluidity. Some see Witherscape as one of the closest definitions of the term melodic death metal, which is true of the vocal styles, but their music draws from progressive, power and classic heavy metal as well as the melodic death metal of the type championed by Opeth back in the day – all married together absolutely effortlessly. This is not a commercial album, but it’s not particularly extreme either. The wide accessibility “The Northern Sanctuary” has should appeal to many, just as it’s predecessor did.
Those who’ve heard that predecessor and enjoyed it is in for another treat. The blueprint of songs like ‘Dead For A Day’ (or my particular fave ‘Dying For The Sun’) for instance are echoed throughout this release, but there are always intriguing riffs, melodies and ideas waiting to enchant in every track. Subtle use of piano and keys combat passages of angsty double-kick fury – haunting tuneful clean and catchy vocals go toe to toe with malevolent grunts…and yet it always balances out for the good of the song. ‘The Examiner’ is a great example but take your pick – there’s plenty to choose from, and they use that formula in many unpredictable and interesting ways. Also anyone who thinks Swanö and Widerberg are playing it safe this time around just needs to get their head around the 14 minute title track, where everything and more trades places, and brings the whole wretched story-line to a dynamic and epic conclusion…or does it? The unnerving 2 minute piano piece that follows might just cast doubt upon that.
This was potentially a tricky release for Witherscape. Swanö has been involved in so many projects that you never really know what style a new incarnation will follow. But once that Witherscape debut had emerged the expectations for the follow-up are set high. And for me I reckon they’ve delivered. All the elements I loved about the debut are here, but there’s enticing smatterings of other styles creeping in every now and again as the band spreads it’s wings a little and gains confidence. Part 3 of the story may even plumb new depths of misery – like being trapped in a soulless, windowless cavern, surrounded by desperate wild eyed creatures consumed by want and greed…no wait…sorry…that’s Ikea again isn’t it?
(8/10 Andy Barker)
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