Insomnium – Argent Moon
Release Date: 17th September 2021
Label: Century Media Records
Stream
Genre: Melodic Death Metal, Atmospheric, Melodic Metal.
FFO: Be’lakor, Amorphis, Dark Tranquility.
Review By: The Wayfaerer
If you were to walk up to some rando on the street and ask them what they think about heavy metal, they’ll usually give some vague understanding about how the bands have loud guitars and screaming vocals and they all worship Satan or whatever, displaying very basic assumptions about a genre that they probably aren’t at all interested in. It’s no secret that the image of heavy metal is draped in a curtain of stereotypes that were set in stone all the way back when Black Sabbath was scapegoated as the devil’s music by bible thumpers back in the 70’s. But if one dares to peel back the curtain a little bit and start exploring through the many different subgenres of metal, they might be surprised to find that some bands want to do more than just scream nonsensically and burst your eardrums with blastbeats. They might even discover that metal cannot only be much more melodic and varied, but it could also, dare I even say it, be beautiful. That is of course, where Insomnium comes in.
Finnish Melodeath icons Insominum have been kicking since 1997 and they’re back once again with a new EP, Argent Moon. Founders Niilo Sevänen (Vocals, Bass) and Markus Hirovonen (Drums) continue to lead the way alongside the triple guitar ensemble of Ville Friman, Markus Vanhala, and Jani Liimatainen. That’s right, three guitarists. To help with Friman’s side job as a lecturer in York University, Liimatainen was brought in to bring the band up to a quintet in 2018. And so with this newfound triple guitar sound, Insomnium is now arguably better than ever.
Getting into the EP proper, it’s a relatively short affair, only four tracks long, but that in no way means that it’s a slouch. Insomnium’s songs are a rollercoaster of different emotions, at one point feeling triumphant and euphoric and another feeling sad and depressing. Sevänen’s easily identifiable death growl is ever present, giving a guttural yet haunting performance that is harsh but easily listenable as well. The heavy guitars are spliced in between clean bridges with lots of reverb that create a tone that is eerily beautiful. Hirvonen’s drum work is punchy and really shines during the clean bridges. The songs all follow the same basic structure, with subtle differences between each one. The Conjurer is a tragic piece about two lovers, with one committing suicide and the other lamenting about how they will never experience the wonders of the Argent Moon ever again. The Reticent is next, continuing the theme of depression and despair but still fighting in spite of it. The Antagonist is probably my favorite on the album, going with the lyrical theme of being an old man full of regrets at the end of his life. The Wanderer caps off the EP by telling a story about an immortal who after experiencing all that life has to offer, now no longer feels any joy in life and is now cursed to walk the earth for all eternity.
Insomnium is an acquired taste within an acquired taste. Rarely do you see something as visceral as death metal be turned into something beautiful, but Insomnium always seems to pull it off. If I had any criticisms, I would say that if you’re not used to the Insomnium formula, all the songs will start to blend together if you’re not paying attention. I’m not saying they all sound the same, but the band has a formula and they stick with it. If that’s not for you, then this EP isn’t for you. But if you’re hankering for the beautiful side of death metal, look no further than this.
(5 / 5)
