A new Insomnium album is always a pleasure to behold and the Finns brand of moribund melodeath has, since first album 2002 release ‘In The Halls Of Awaiting’ been constant, mature and full of atmosphere and passion. The group never seemed to get the attention of peers such as Amorphis, although perhaps this is changing. After witnessing them supporting Dark Tranquility to an absolutely rammed Underworld it was evident that they had a lot of fans who obviously felt similar about their craft. Insomnium have never overdone things on the album front, releasing now just their fifth in ten or so years or overplayed on the live front. The fact that they take their time and make their fans patiently wait can only be a good thing as there is never any skimping on the quality of their output, new album ‘One For Sorrow’ very much being a case in point.
‘Inertia’ paves the way building things up with a sorrowful feel, keys sparkle and tinkle like frost on early morning grass and it really makes the listener draw a breath for what is coming next. This arrives with chugging bass lines and powerful guitar and spoken words whilst drums solidify everything and a mighty roar is unleashed, we have arrived! The trademark giddy guitar sound spirals away as we power into ‘Through The Shadows’ an instantly anthemic sounding numbers. Gruff vocals from Niilo Sevänen gutturally roar away like a distempered bear but it is the clean vocals from Ville Friman that accompany them and act as an incredibly melodic chorus that make this song succeed so powerfully and lodge into the brain. The only thing that may surprise is just how happy and upbeat it all sounds as they soar away! ‘Song Of The Blackest Bird’ ups the ante and goes for the throat with a barrage of heavy drumming and ugly vocal growls. All through this the guitar work unravels drenching the song in powerful melody that is at times nothing short of breathtaking.
It’s one of those albums that takes a few listens to draw you in and then consumes and completely wins you over, with every track having something about it to offer the listener. Every note here is pitched at full strength and it is a commanding listen that completely captivates. The one respite which does allow you to catch a much needed breath is gentle instrumental ‘Decoherence’ a somewhat soothing moment pitched up part way through an otherwise stormy and fiery listen. It is always somewhat difficult to pick a favourite track out of such a solid album but for once I did as one stood slightly above the others and blew me away on the first listen. ‘Through The Shadows’ which the band picked as almost a lead track and have filmed a video for came incredibly close but ‘Regain The Fire’ the penultimate cut is the one that did it with its perfectly dismal “and the rain keeps falling chorus;” sheer miserable perfection.
This is a classy album and one that totally justifies the band going out as a headliner on tour in Europe in November. I am amused to note this comes out in a special ‘Casket Of Sorrow’ edition with shirt, patch, badges, bag and other somewhat unnecessary items but the regular edition is something I would have no qualms picking up in the slightest. ‘One For Sorrow’ is certainly a five for silver or six for gold release!
http://www.insomnium.net
Pete Woods
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