Following on from demo ‘Symphonies Of Death’ shortly after forming in 2006 this is the debut album from these Finns. I can quite see why label My Kingdom Music snapped them up so early in their career too as the band have done something quite remarkably clever with their music and put together two disparate styles of music, which one would not normally expect to gel together and make them do just that. The instrumental approach is that of symphonic black metal and as the intro ‘Blood Of The Sacred’ takes form with tinkling keyboard and atmospheric baroque and dread tinged orchestral swathes it is quickly comfortable listening and a style that you are likely to be well at home with. However as we leap into ‘Libre Satanas’ and a galloping drum tumult we find ourselves carried into the arms of female operatic singer Armi Päivinen. Yep take a step back and have a think, are there any other examples of burgeoning and fearsome symphonic black metal with choral feminine vocals that you can think of? Nope me neither and although this debut is obviously not up to the great standards of either band if you did consider a fusing of say Dimmu Borgir and Epica this might give you some idea of what to expect.
The other contrast that really grabbed me here is the fact that vocals are so angelic and the subject matter behind the music is completely the opposite. Although the ideologies and themes do not seem to be discussed in detail on any of the bands media when you combine the very good artwork courtesy of Elias Vihma the groups guitarist, together with the album and song titles it all kind of suggests that things erring towards the irreligious side of things. Being Finnish everything as expected is expertly played and Armi has a very natural sounding, melodic voice which is never forced or sped up to compete with the music’s more frenzied aspects, but simply left to gently waft around it. Backing choirs are also used to add some depth and majesty to the overall picture.
Occasionally on songs like ‘Advocatus Diaboli’ the magical qualities of the vocals and zealous rampaging keyboards do take on that air of Tim Burton / Danny Elfman soundtrack music as it all warps together in a gigantic carnival laden excess. It does take a few listens for individuality between the 12 tracks to shine through and at first I thought things were a little on the samey side, however it is more the scope of what the band have done perhaps that detracts from this and the album strikes as having nothing in the way of filler and does succeed in keeping attention and interest levels up over its 51 minute running time.
The idea of the combination of styles may immediately want you to get the knives out and understandably this may not be to all tastes, however I can only applaud the band for taking two tried and tested ideas and coming up with this rather fantastical album and you certainly owe yourself a listen to at least one song to hear exactly how they have achieved this.
http://www.insilentionoctis.com
http://www.myspace.com/insilentionoctis
