Barren Earth - Our Twilight
Peaceville - CDVILES273 - 09 April 2009
By Ryan M.
Consisting of musicians from a background of well known metal acts acts such as Amorphis, Swallow The Sun, Moonsorrow, and Kreator, Barren Earth are most certainly a band worth taking note of, and Our Twilight is a great place to start. To say their sound and approach is unique would be an incredible understatement, as Barren Earth take the qualities and characteristics of genres such as melodic death metal, gothic and doom metal to intermingle and mix into a unique sound and approach they can call their own. With it’s melancholic melodies combined with pure crushing brutality. Our Twilight is the album that really paints a picture of what to expect from this superbly talented group of proficient musicians and leaves you craving more.
Officially an EP, Our Twilight is short and sweet, while maintaining true to the band’s unique musical styling and giving listeners an accurate inside peak at what was to come in the later release Curse of the Red River. The album opens with the title track ’Our Twilight’ which is a shortened, radio edited version of the extended track which is found on their official debut album Curse of the Red River. Intriguing melodies mixed with intense but progressive rhythmic intensity proves to be an excellent backdrop to the intense vocals of Mikko Kotamäki of Swallow The Sun fame. The chorus is a catchy hook in itself which proves easy to get lost within, as the instruments mesh among themselves almost effortlessly. Though just one track on this album, it gives listeners a great idea of what to expect and it’s quite safe to say the following tracks contain a very similar approach, while still holding true to their own personal unique vibes which make them so memorable.
The other tracks on the album are 'Jewel’, ‘Flame of Serenity', and ‘Floodred’. The first two being very similar in approach to ’Our Twilight’ in their melancholic, melodic approaches. While ’Floodred’ is on the heavier, more epic side of things. The song seems to progress quite naturally between melodic and haunting, to heavy and crushing. As the song transitions from part to part, it’s hard to not be taken in by the grand and intense feeling this song puts forth on a musical level. A track that will surely have you riveted and glued to this album, as it is certainly the highlight of Our Twilight.
All in all, this album is certainly worth checking out, especially if you are unfamiliar with Barren Earth’s material as it is a great collection of tracks that help define what they stand for as a band. Lead work by Sami Yli-Sirniö seems to compliment the music almost flawlessly, and the synth and keyboards of Kasper Mårtenson add an atmosphere that truly makes this EP an experience in itself to listen to. Coupled with the unique drum-work of Marko Tarvonen, the bass of Olli-Pekka Laine, guitar work of Janne Perttilä and the diverse and intense vocals of Mikko Kotamäki, Barren Earth certainly prove themselves to be a band worth keeping an eye on as they show immense potential.
Official Barren Earth Website
Official Barren Earth Myspace
Official Peaceville Records Website
Peaceville - CDVILES273 - 09 April 2009
By Ryan M.
Consisting of musicians from a background of well known metal acts acts such as Amorphis, Swallow The Sun, Moonsorrow, and Kreator, Barren Earth are most certainly a band worth taking note of, and Our Twilight is a great place to start. To say their sound and approach is unique would be an incredible understatement, as Barren Earth take the qualities and characteristics of genres such as melodic death metal, gothic and doom metal to intermingle and mix into a unique sound and approach they can call their own. With it’s melancholic melodies combined with pure crushing brutality. Our Twilight is the album that really paints a picture of what to expect from this superbly talented group of proficient musicians and leaves you craving more.
Officially an EP, Our Twilight is short and sweet, while maintaining true to the band’s unique musical styling and giving listeners an accurate inside peak at what was to come in the later release Curse of the Red River. The album opens with the title track ’Our Twilight’ which is a shortened, radio edited version of the extended track which is found on their official debut album Curse of the Red River. Intriguing melodies mixed with intense but progressive rhythmic intensity proves to be an excellent backdrop to the intense vocals of Mikko Kotamäki of Swallow The Sun fame. The chorus is a catchy hook in itself which proves easy to get lost within, as the instruments mesh among themselves almost effortlessly. Though just one track on this album, it gives listeners a great idea of what to expect and it’s quite safe to say the following tracks contain a very similar approach, while still holding true to their own personal unique vibes which make them so memorable.
The other tracks on the album are 'Jewel’, ‘Flame of Serenity', and ‘Floodred’. The first two being very similar in approach to ’Our Twilight’ in their melancholic, melodic approaches. While ’Floodred’ is on the heavier, more epic side of things. The song seems to progress quite naturally between melodic and haunting, to heavy and crushing. As the song transitions from part to part, it’s hard to not be taken in by the grand and intense feeling this song puts forth on a musical level. A track that will surely have you riveted and glued to this album, as it is certainly the highlight of Our Twilight.
All in all, this album is certainly worth checking out, especially if you are unfamiliar with Barren Earth’s material as it is a great collection of tracks that help define what they stand for as a band. Lead work by Sami Yli-Sirniö seems to compliment the music almost flawlessly, and the synth and keyboards of Kasper Mårtenson add an atmosphere that truly makes this EP an experience in itself to listen to. Coupled with the unique drum-work of Marko Tarvonen, the bass of Olli-Pekka Laine, guitar work of Janne Perttilä and the diverse and intense vocals of Mikko Kotamäki, Barren Earth certainly prove themselves to be a band worth keeping an eye on as they show immense potential.
Official Barren Earth Website
Official Barren Earth Myspace
Official Peaceville Records Website
