Marianas Rest – Ruins (2019) – Review

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“I had a dream, which was not all a dream”!

Ruins of Marianas Rest starts with a monologue that moves you out into space. One that Carach Angren could not have done better. And – truly – the tune and story also keep you hostage to all sorts of horrors.

Only here, we have troubles of the mind that are at stake. Internalized terrors that somehow surface, when you least expect them. And not miscellaneous war crimes, or other horrifying dark urges.

But first and foremost, my question was: Where in Hel’s name do these solemnly marching metal sounds [...] Click to raid more!

Insomnium – Winter’s Gate (2016) – Review

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It was one of those metal moments! Winter’s Gate, Insomnium‘s 7th full-length release finally arrived at my doorstep. And what do I find? One 40-minute monster track.

Come again, they did what?

What on earth are they noodling about? With trepidation, we think back to similar attempts made by the likes of Pink Floyd and others way back in time, when monstrous, rambling concoctions were fashionable.

And not many protagonists – with some laudable exceptions – pulled these offerings off well enough to really impress the audience ever since.

Let’s be honest. 

So, here I sat wondering what disaster loomed ahead in this new record. [...] Click to raid more!

Insomnium – One for Sorrow (2011) – Review

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Ah, yes! Sleepless music for the sleepless, made by the Sleepless Ones from Finland on their newest One for Sorrow. And where else would they come from? The land of eternal night it must be. A bit subdued, I would say but still trademark Insomnium fare. 

Complex tunes established around the growls of Niilo Sevänen, just great Melodic Death Metal at its best. Like freshly ground coffee, to be enjoyed by preference in the morning as a little breakfast music. And you will find Melodic Death Metal with a Doom Death Metal component that is very pronounced. But … [...] Click to raid more!

Insomnium – Shadows of the Dying Sun (2014) – Review

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God, what a great sound coming out of my earphones from The Sleepless Ones. Deep, dark, great, crunchy Melodic Death Metal. And in their typical doomy style.

The Finnish band Insomnium delivers great-sounding stuff. Shockingly, though, sometimes produced in clear vocals, which will have my beloved purists’ tongues wagging the wrong way again. 

But as Lords of Darkness of the Melodic Death Metal scene, this is great stuff. With cool-sounding riffs that bring you right to the edge. Admittedly, you need to be in the mood for this kind of music. But it is my idea of relaxing quietly [...] Click to raid more!