Reviews
Terrorizer, 7.5/10
21.10.06
Rave reviews in the initial stages of your career must really boost spirits – the flipside being that the pressure to at least match the calibre of that early work is substantial thereafter. In the case of Finnish death/doom outfit, following up their 2004 second album “Since the Day it All Came Down” might well have caused sleepless nights. If so, they’ve thankfully not been in vain. “Above” seems to have progressed from the distinctive “Blackwater Park” influence that was so apparent on its predecessor, yet still retains the acoustic edge that, when combined with their “metal” element, adds further appeal to Insomnium’s melancholic power. “At the Gates of Sleep”, for example, alternates between delicate, “airy” acoustic fingerpicking and a weighty, measured electric onslaught, the contrast in density and texture rendering each component all the more striking. Add to that the soaring melodies which feature on virtually every track and the result is a powerful, sophisticated platter boasting a subtle but distinct beauty.
Jo Pitches
