This 2010 album was the third full-length release from Finnish rock band Nosdrama, who describe their music as “melancholic progressive metal”, and I totally understand where they are coming from. But, I do think the word they are missing in there is “melodic”, as while this is dark and sometimes quite Gothic in overtones, there is also a real sense of melody that makes this album attractive the very first time it is played. There is a real intensity, but it never overpowers, so that the listener feels more drawn into the unusual yet somehow familiar material. Apparently this is a concept album, based on the Cudgel War, which was a 1596/97 peasant uprising in the kingdom of Sweden (in the part that is now Finland). which was suppressed brutally and bloodily. The lyrics are in English, but I didn’t concentrate on them too much, but instead let the music just wash over me in a wave. Imagine Type O Negative crossed with Muse and Threshold, then it might just give you an idea of what this sounds like. Others have also likened them to Opeth, Anathema and Katatonia, and they certtainly share the darkness and bleakness that the last of these permeates.
The four-piece of Janne Haka-Risku (keyboards), Ari Niemi (guitar, vocals), Mika Hiironniemi (drums) and Janne Haapala (bass) have managed to create an album that is over the top, bombastic, and intense yet incredibly easy to listen to, all at the same time which is no mean feat. This album is dark and light, moody and fun, and I really enjoyed it.
