CD review INSOMNIUM "Shadows of the dying sun"

(8/10) Finland is a country which is well known for good metal bands. On the one hand their are groups like Nightwish and also the early Stratovarius, which are covering the area of more bombastic and symphonic metal. On the other hand there are constantly bands poping up which are more into dark heavy metal, partly with some death metal background. Bands like Sentenced and Amorphis are just two examples. Another Finish band in this genre is Insomnium. They might be a bit less popular than the before mentioned acts, but so far they have also released five records and the new one have seen the light of day a few days ago. The name of the new album is "Shadows of the dying sun" and became another milestone in the band's discography. 

Let's have a look into the songs. The album starts with the opener called "Primeval dark". The songs builds up from a slow and melodic start to a riff oriented heavy beast. It's a powerful beginning into the record. The trip continues with "While we sleep" - a very representative tune of the album. The track combines the trademarks of the band and reflects the flexibility in the songwriting. Clean vocals meet the more rougher ones and melodic soundscapes go parallel with heavy riffs. If you listen intensively enough you even recognise the singing birds which are build into the track. With "Lose to night" the album has a melodic and melancolic half ballad on the album, which spreads a great gloomy vibe. This tune is followed by a real heavy one called "Collapsing words". Fast and heavy with a Norhern expression the song blows out of your speaker. It actually reminded me even a bit to Amon Amarth. But Insomnium can also reduce the speed. "The river" is an remarkable anthem in the sense, that it starts very fast and you expect another high-pace track. But there are many breaks in the song which makes it to a divers piece of music. Fast double bass parts lead to slow accoustical sections which lead to grooving riff elements. The good thing with this song is, that Insomnia managed to still let it sound like one unit. All those bits and pieces belong together. Cool.

Also the sound of the album is worth to mention. The production is good, which means that the album got a warm and powerful sound. For me it supports the attitude of the songs and is the cherry on the cake.

"Shadows of the dying sun" became the best album of the band so far. They play in one league with other genre icons like Katatonia and Ghost Brigade. A cool album with a lot of variety in the songwriting and a transfer of emotions which are so important for this kind of music. Thumbs up.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. The primeval dark
2. While we sleep
3. Revelation
4. Black heart rebellion
5. Lose the night
6. Collapsiong words
7. The river
8. Ephemeral
9. The promethean song
10. Shadows of the dying sun
11. Out to the sea

Label: Centrury Media

Genre: Dark Metal