This is the fourth album by the Finns, but the first one that I have come across. If someone had asked me what country these guys were fromm I would probably guess a country where there were long periods of darkness as this is an album that is full of melancholy and dread emotion, as they bring together elements of bands such as Porcupine Tree and Opeth into something that is first and foremost progressive but also bring in elements of ambient black metal. The vocals from Ari Niemi (who also provides guitars) aren’t necessarily depressing but they certainly lean towards that style. It is the vocals that are very much at the centre of everything they do, with the music rarely breaking forward as this is all about songs and providing the right accompaniment for the singer.
It is all about exploring music when building on minor chords instead of major, and definitely moving in different directions than the norm. Space is used as an additional instrument, and there are times when the album feels very intimate as opposed to overblown and in your face, although there is always the threat tat the riffing guitars could suddenly take a turn for the heavier. The lyrical theme of the album is built from Universal spheres, the natural cycle of cosmology and human destinies. Apparently they used the word ‘Gravity’ to make the listener think about the how this affects all life forms, yet leaves the mystery of the unknown magnetism and its effect to spiritual world. Overall this is an interesting album that while not indispensible is certainly worthy of further investigation, especially if you enjoy your music to be not necessarily sad, but definitely gothic and dark.
