Insomnium – Songs of the Dusk EP
Insomnium – Songs Of The Dusk EP
Century Media Records
Release Date: 03/11/2023
Running Time: 22:59
Review by Oli Gonzalez
9/10
Insomnium. The melodic death metal giants hailing from Finland, and among the finest musical exports from the country! Also one of my all-time favourite bands, so being fully objective may be a little tricky. Nonetheless, it’s truly exciting to get my hands on their latest before the public does. Interesting timing for a new release too, considering the band only released the full-length “Anno 1696” in February of this year! The dust has just about settled, and the scorching solo from ‘White Christ’ and blistering melodies of ‘Lilian’ have just about stopped ringing in my ears. Their logic for releasing a new EP a few months later is simple; the album would have been too long if they had released these 3 tracks on “Anno 1696”. But hey, if Insomnium want to keep releasing new material, I certainly will not complain. Plus in this world of digital streaming and fast-food style of consuming music, a little and often release strategy is far more optimal. Though that’s a conversation for another article. Let’s get straight into it!
Throughout the EP, we see the signature Insomnium compositional approach, alternating between signature melodic guitar lead passages and balls-to-the-wall thunder and intensity. If you want intensity, listen to what Markus does to the drums in the early stages of ‘Stained In Red’! Earth shattering thud after earth shattering thud from the kick drums measuring on the Richter scale, I wonder how many drum skins were broken in the recording process! For melody, the closing passage to Flowers of The Night, and the ever-exceptional soaring guitar leads.
Insomnium clearly found a winning formula a long time ago and if it isn’t broken, why fix it? They still, however, show evidence of evolution and are not one to get too comfortable. Niilo’s signature fiercely demonic yet intelligible mid-range growl is an ever present. However, while backing vocals were utilised in earlier records, I feel like they were fairly subtle and hiding in the mix somewhat. However, the use of cleaner vocals is a lot more prominent in ‘Song Of The Dusk’, in particular in the mid-section. Here, this vocal passage forms part of the song’s crescendo and the melodic centre piece for the song. The song is the longest and strongest (for me) on this record, largely because of this glorious crescendo. Insomnium are no strangers to writing stunning melodic passages – just check out ‘White Christ’, and ‘The Conjurer’ from their back catalogue for evidence of this. Here, they’ve maintained their high standards and created something that’s quite frankly another work of art. I lost count how many times I had to rewind this section just to get my melodic fix! I never have and never will take illicit substances, but listening to this for the first time must be pretty close.
Seemingly as soon as it began, it’s all over. I’m left wanting more! I’m even more excited to see the band perform in the UK later this autumn – the very first time for me. Incidentally, this EP drops only 2 days before their Manchester date, where I’m hoping to be front and centre. After that, what else is in store for Insomnium? Another chapter in the tale of Anno 1696? A sequel perhaps? If it’s half as the journey has been so far, I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Flower Of The Night
02. Stained In Red
03. Song Of The Dusk
LINE-UP:
Markus Hirvonen – Drums
Ville Friman – Guitars
Markus Vanhala – Guitars and clean vocals
Niilo Sevänen – Bass and Vocals
Jani Liimatainen – Guitars and clean vocals
LINKS:
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