Insomnium - Above the Weeping World(2006)

Our next band is from Joensuu, East Finland. I believe Finland and Sweden to be the major countries where the best bands spawn, and in Finland, what is also known as the "A Land of Thousand Lakes", we can call it A Land of Thousand Melodeath Bands. Insomnium is a great example of that. Liking Opeth very much, and hearing very pleasing things about this band, like having even more potential, I've decided to give it a go with Above the Weeping World. I'm most pleased, even delighted.

The album starts with "The Gale", mostly a recording taken from nature. We start with a proverb like lyric "When it pours, it rains like hell". I believe if "The Gale" is just the pouring, the whole package is actually the Hell itself. Even the nature recordings are of best quality. After "The Gale", we enter one of the best pieces of melodic death metal, "Mortal Share", whose video can be found here. From the start to the end, "Mortal Share" states that it is a masterpiece. Based on a great melody, good drum tempos and good usage of vocals indicate that we found a song that can be listened always. After "Mortal Share", we find ourselves with more progressive songs, such as "At the Gates of Sleep","The Killjoy".

These progressive songs are really of best quality even for me, who does not really like progressive music. The album is very much like Opeth with even more melodies, no clean vocals. The album ends with "In the Groves of Death" who ends with raining, just like the way "The Gale" started, as to indicate there is an end for every beginning. Having the lyrics of themes of darkness,death,nature and mourning, they seem to be very poetic. All the instruments are powerful, especially the drums and the guitars who seem to create such great melodies.

I have not a single negative opinion on this band, as they seem to have done a wonderful job, where Swedish main Melodeath bands have started to drift from their paths. I really hope Insomnium turns into something even better and I can say "I actually listen progressive, actually one of the progressive out there".

Song List:

1- The Gale

2- Mortal Share

3- Drawn to Black

4- Change of Heart

5- At the Gates of Sleep

6- The Killjoy

7- Last Statement

8- Devoid of Caring

9- In the Groves of Death