Insomnia – In 1696
Origin: Finland
Release: 24.02.2023
Label: Century Media Records
Duration: 50:32
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Insomnium have stood for melodic death metal with an atmospheric side for 26 years. After the Finns with their 2021 EP Argent Moon The band is now able to inspire their fans and probably also win new followers Anno 1696 their ninth full-time album.
As the title already suggests, the musicians deal with history. Specifically, it is regarding the years 1696 and 1697, which are considered a particularly dark chapter in Finnish history. Insomnium spin, in short, a coherent narrative around witch burnings, famines and…werewolves. Because, why not? Musically, it’s getting tricky as usual, but once more emphasis is placed on catchy passages.
Melodic and with many facets
Anno 1696 should once more be regarded as a total work of art and anything but easy listening. The Finns remain true to their recipe for success and deliver immersive music, captivating their listeners with melodic death metal of various accents.
That in advance HERE published White Christ is tinged with deep black, for example, which is not just for guest singers Sakis Tolis von Rotting Christ lies. In The Unrest the band once more shows their folkloric side, which makes the song very catchy for their standards. And master the change between growls and clear vocals that sounds a bit annoying or artificial in so many bands Insomnium out of hand anyway.
Atmosphere before catchiness
The Finns occasionally use the simple and successful songwriting formula “verse-refrain-verse”, but they concentrate much more on the story and atmosphere they want to convey than on catchy structures. That means: Anno 1696 sounds a bit bulky overall.
The good cause is regarding an eight-minute epic between growls and the siren-like singing of guest musicians Johanna Kurkela. The final The Rapids once more in a similar season to the coherent interplay between aggression and melancholy for which Scandinavian metal is famous and loved.
Album number nine will once once more more than satisfy fans of the band, while casual listeners will be hampered by the complexity of some of the songs. So you might say: Insomnium have found a middle ground here between the most intricate and catchy works of their past, which is meant as a compliment.
Conclusion
Insomnium kidnap us Anno 1696 into one of the darkest chapters in the history of their homeland. This is not only reflected in the lyrics, but also in the musical implementation. However, there has hardly ever been a band that has managed the balancing act between melodic catchiness and intricacy as well as here, although the occasional bulkiness of the material prevents a higher score. 8 / 10
Line Up
Niilo Sevänen – Bass, Gesang
Ville Friman – guitar
Jani Liimatainen – Gitarre, Gesang
Markus Vanhala – guitar, vocals
Markus Hirvonen – drums
Tracklist
1. 1696
2. White Christ (feat. Sakis Tolis)
3. Godforsaken (feat. Johanna Kurkela)
4. Lilian
5. Starless Paths
6. The Witch Hunter
7. The Unrest
8. The Rapids
Links
Facebook Insomnium
Instagram Insomnium
Also on Soundmagnet.eu
EP Review – Insomnium – Argent Moon
Album Review – In Flames – Foregone
Interview – Battlesword, Asked by Axel and Lars
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