Innovation is something that often goes hand in hand with the more progressive of bands. Returning with their brand new album Winter’s Gate, Insomnium have decided to tackle the idea of the concept. With a blueprint laid out by the band’s vocalist Niilo Sevanen, from the man’s own book of the same name the band opted to transform words into music with the conceptual arc of Winter’s Gate.
[tracklist]
- Winter’s Gate
[/tracklist]
[details]
[length]40:00[/length]
[record_label]Century Media Records[/record_label]
[release_date]September 23rd 2016[/release_date]
[/details]
Usually hard to digest a one track album can be somewhat of a double edged sword. Knowing that the listener is in it for the long haul can often disparage fans from allowing themselves to be let into the album. In the modern day of disposable music an idea such as this will either succeed spectacularly or fail miserably. Running the gauntlet “Winter’s Gate” can best be surmised in four parts. Introducing the running motif of a beautiful lead melody in its main section. Coupling all elements of Melodic Death Metal to create a fantastic encapsulation of all that the genre embodies.
Evading boredom the band understand the key in songwriting. Creating varying tempos and melodies each segment of the track plays to the band’s strengths without ever becoming too diffuse or commonplace. Stand out section no doubt the culmination of the first act so to speak seeing a climax of harmonies, tremolo guitar, keys and that frost bitten howl. Before once again retreating to a safe distance as acoustic guitar is introduced and an undead choir summoned to culminate in an uproarious upheaval of melody that gets the pulse racing with guitar taking center stage to deliver the mid section killing blow solo before entering back into the now fortified tones.
Sonically the album works wonders, painstakingly thought through the record is accessible making the forty minute tag fly by. From the fluttering piano right up to the denouement of the tracks final section the band have created a real masterwork. Working with the simplistic idea of having a string of melody throughout the record the album is neither lofty or imposing. Easy to navigate, Winter’s Gate takes an incredibly complex idea and brings it in an immediately accessible yet no less indelible setting. Littered with a thread of recurring motifs creating masterful use of tension to albums zenith where each element coalesces into a beautiful doleful crescendo. The gate has well and truly been opened and though the Starks might be banging on about Winter coming, it’s here now and it sounds sensational.
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]Insomnium present a one track masterpiece perfected. Understanding the life cycle of a single track the song is at once entrancing in its complex arrangement yet will consistently bring you back. If Jon Snow had an iPod, this would be on it.[/why]
