It’s strange to realise that these guys started as long ago as 1990 when they started as a fairly traditional heavy, death and doom band. Over the years they have changed their line-up and their sound, and these days bring together a meld of progressive metal, folk and melodic rock but with a very heavy bottom end that rounds out the symphonics. Guitarist Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy, Pain) was brought into take control of the recordings and the fact that a kindred spririt was behind the board has obviously had an impact on founder members Esa Holopainen and Tomi Koivusaari who are playing with a controlled freedom that has great impact on the overall sound. There is no escape from the fact that for the most part this is a very heavy album indeed, but to go with the crunch and swagger there is polish and loads of melody. The contrast between the passages containing flute and gentle piano and those with all out death growls need to be heard to be believed.
Indeed, one wonders if the band will sound quite this restrained in a live environment as it seems that they are struggling at the leash, but it is that conflict between raw energy and sophistication that makes this album quite special. On release this hit the charts in many countries, including #1 in their homeland, and for once a chart position accurately reflect the quality of the music contained within as this is an album of great depth and maturity that all metalheads will get a great deal from. Definitely worthy of investigation.
www.nuclearblast.de
