Suffering so you don't have to!
Metalcatto
Somehow, Insomnium became one of, if not the biggest Finnish Melodic Death Metal band in town. Not an easy task, considering there are more metal bands in Finland than smiles. So here we are, celebrating one of the most consistent acts in the scene. We’ll review their lows and highs. Get your tissues ready and release the sad puppy living inside each and every one of us.
Metalcatto
Insomnium has had a career with ups and downs, yet is one of the few bands with two peaks (Above the Weeping Moon and Winter’s Gate). Consistency has been enormous for this band. They have managed to make MeloDeath interesting every single time a new release comes around. Netherworlds has a significant challenge ahead, but let’s see. Full disclosure: Insomnium is my wife’s favorite band, so I’m doing this review at gunpoint. Help!
Metalcatto
If there’s one trick pony out there, it’s Amon Amarth. Despite this obvious fact, the band has been ridiculously successful, taking Viking sagas to places nobody ever imagined they’d reach—Wisconsin. However, ever since Jomsviking, I’d say the band has suffered a creative drought, which is why I’m approaching The Allfather Awakens with extreme caution. I have no hope this is going to be With Oden on Our Side or Deceiver of the Gods, but okay.
Metalcatto
It’s been a while since I last gave a chance to a little band. Tsar Stangra is basically that – I don’t mean it in a disrespectful way. The whole point of this blog is helping bands reach new people. Hymns of the Broken Worlds pretty enigmatic. Is it folk, or death metal? Or both? Also, I could be wrong, but this might be the first or second band with Bulgarian heritage we’ve reviewed. Hence, I know nothing about Bulgarian metal. Still, there should be fair judgement today. Don’t despair!
Metalcatto
Let’s see how I’m going to navigate this. On one hand, At the Gates is the OG MeloDeath band, a national treasure, and it has suffered an unimaginable loss, which is why we’ll proceed with extra respect. Having said that, nothing in its long and complicated career has made me feel what Slaughter of the Soul once did. That level of speed, aggression, production, and brilliance has yet to be matched. But okay, let’s judge The Ghost of a Future Dead on its own terms.
Metalcatto
There are very few things as reliable and comfortable as Finnish Melodic Death Metal. You always get exactly what you’re expecting. Obscure Fate brings us an album with a name that again promises consistency: Shades of a Dying World. The only real question is whether this will be genuinely melodic or fall into Arch Enemy-level corny territory. Either way, those guitars will shine. Let’s see.
Metalcatto
It brings me joy that a band we reviewed long ago, back when it was nothing but a humble one-man project, is now back with bigger and faster ambitions. So yay! The project didn’t just die and fade into nothingness. We can now enjoy Never-Ending Quest for Purpose by Legionary. Short title, right? Let’s see if this thing has anything to add to the long and often disappointing history of MeloDeath and Thrash.
Metalcatto
Mývalyĭr is what happens when you blend the epic, storytelling scope of Blind Guardian with the intense seriousness of a band like Eternal Storm or other deeply committed MeloDeath acts. Consequently, its new album, The Past Tales, sounded on paper like an oddball proposition for me, as it combines elements I deeply love with others I’m almost embarrassed to admit I enjoy. The central question was how the band would balance its grandiose, fantastical aspirations with the musical gravitas such themes demand. Honestly, my initial hopes were buried underground, but there’s always room for dreaming, right?
Metalcatto
There were several old and new acts we missed this year, so it’s time to give you our two cents. You can get mad sure, or you could just think, well, “I almost forgot that came out, maybe I should check how wrong Catto is.” That’s a great way to find out I’m right. Anyway. Let’s get to it.
Metalcatto
It’s that time of the year! When I try to look at the albums we missed because we were too busy covering other releases or making the horrible decision of having a life outside music. You should try it sometime — it’s rewarding and actually pays the bills! Alright, so let’s get to it.
