Finnish band myGrain present for us their third album, a collection of Scandinavian sounding Melodic Metal. First off epic beginnings launch “Into the Parallel Universe”, a fast-paced Power Metal adventure. It’s a highly entertaining hybrid of Helloween and Children of Bodom in its style. But it’s not as typical of this work as the vibrant “Shadow People”. The aggression level cranks up and the vocals get harder and harsher. The rant and clean harmony is pure Soilwork. The style is of Strid’s offshoot Disarmonia Mundi and particularly reminiscent of a track of theirs called “A Mirror Behind”. In other words, it’s all action, high intensity Metal with solos thrown in. It’s an excellent example of melodic Death/Thrash Metal. More importantly the track leads somewhere. The chorus and the drums are resounding.
myGrain know how to switch atmospheres without losing the core feel. “Dust Devils and Cosmic Storms” has a bland chorus with sing-a-long clean harmonies but as well as being fast and aggressive, it’s dark, mysterious and fun. Chugging guitars add depth. It’s still like listening to Soilwork. Only “Of Immortal Aeons” didn’t hook me on this album. Although having the usual Brainstorm-type bombast and the catchy chorus in an aggressive framework, for me it was a case of going through the motions. Momentum is regained with “A Clockwork Apocalypse”. Although the aggression is toned down, the rhythm is as ever catchy and the lads sing their hearts out. It quietens down, leading to an air of mystery and a steady rock/metal rhythm follows. As a musical piece, it’s pleasing and happy and has a melodic rhythm to make you smile and sing along. By contrast “Eye of the Void” is dark and sweeping, yet has a fast and driving Power Metal rhythm. Heavily whispered voices and sounds resound. The aggressive Thrash drama goes on with sweeping choruses, clean harmonies and catchy rhythms. To finish, myGrain give us triple a catchiness with “Cataclysm Child”. As usual, there’s an aggressive base and a Soilwork-type riff, with a highly catchy and repetitive chorus. This one has more of a smooth pop melody about it. It’s perhaps not the strongest or climactic final track but no-one can deny it represents the values of this band.
I played Soilwork’s “Sworn to a Great Divide” straight after listening to “myGrain” and it’s like the B side. This is great news if you’re keen on Soilwork like me. I’m sure that anyone with a vague interest in Scandinavian-style Melodic Metal would love this too. “myGrain” is fun and there’s plenty of aggression. It’s Metal but at the same time the band is not frightened to entertain us with their expansive hooks and harmonies.
http://www.myspace.com/mygrain
