I must find time to sit down and play all four Insomnium albums back to back, shutting out the world outside and losing myself in the Finns rich harmonies. They have never been anything other than dependable and for me really came of age with 2006 release ‘Above The Weeping World.’ I never thought the rest of the world really gave them the support or recognition that they really deserved but that could all be about to change. Not only is there new album ‘Across The Dark’ but they also have made it onto the bill for Bloodstock festival and are coming back to the UK for a full tour in December with Swallow The Sun and Omnium Gatherum.
Starting with the albums shortest song we are led into ‘Equivalence’ by rich doom laden and mournful guitar tones which suddenly burst into the full weight of the number at the half way mark. You are immediately flattened by the burgeoning instrumental heaviness and leonine gruff roars of Niilo Sevänen. It finishes all too quickly but acts as a perfect extended intro for things to come such as ‘Down With The Sun’ something the Finns are certainly well versed with even if it’s something a bit alien to us in the UK. Melody is full and as per usual epic sounding here. Although Insomnium are essentially a melodeath band, the term seems to do them little justice as they are way above the rest of the pack and up there at the top with the likes of Dark Tranquillity.
Bouncing around is the surprisingly upbeat ‘Where The Last Wave Broke,’ it’s a bit jaunty but not without anger coursing through it and a song that could well have a good scope for some live pit action. The chorus is equally beguiling with the song slowing and adding some clean backing vocals behind the mighty growls. The air guitar simply has to come out to ‘Against The Stream.’ The pace is frantic and this literally flies down the rapids borne on by keyboards as it flows into a mellow stretch before hammering you into jagged rocks at conclusion. ‘Lay Of Autumn’ sees the longest track ebbing in and sparkling as frost glistens with the coming of fall. As ground hardens and begins to freeze this is a commanding number that is harsh, offering little respite as it gears up for the coming of a never ending winter. The music itself is every bit as immersing and has you rubbing hands together in anticipation, never mind the fact that it might be a hot summers day outside. A touch of maudlin clarinet by the sounds of things opens last track ‘Weighed Down With Sorrow.’ From here things are hardly happy as suggested but then again joviality and Insomnium are hardly ever likely to make good bedfellows and it’s a weighty finish to another classy album.
http://www.insomnium.net
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