Band: Goathemy
Title: Torn
Label: Rebellion Brothers Records - Violent Journey Records
Distribution: Bertus - Suburban
Release date: 26/11/2008
Review: CD

The origins of the Finnish band Goathemy go back to 1995, when Hannu Ruohoniemi, aka Goath, aka Goathman started writing material under this moniker. Yet soon, however, the one-man project was put to rest. In 2001, Hannu ‘reformed’ the project, with assistance of his youngest brother, and during the past years, Goathemy evolved into a ‘real’ band, which did release a few independent EP’s. The debut full length, Frostland, saw the light in 2006 and was the first release on the new Rebellion Brothers-label, which was founded by Hannu and his brother Janne, aka Mr. Thing. This album was a huge step forwards in comparison with the self-produced former material because of a more profound depth, more maturity and stronger compositions. And it brought a certain ‘popularity’ outside their home country.
At the end of 2007, Goathemy entered the Pop-Artikkeli Studio with engineers Kari Lavila and Jari Prinkkilä (the production itself had been done by Janne, the mastering was taken care of by Pasi Kauppinen at Studio 57). The result, Torn, however, wasn’t released immediately because of contractual issues, but at the very end of last year, the worldwide release became reality. The line-up on this recording, for your information, is: Hannu (v, g, lyrics) and Janne (g), their sister Teija (aka Dark; v), Tomi T. (aka Bargor; b), Antti V. (aka Benedictus XXX; b) and Pasi-Pekka P. (aka Ghost; d).
Torn lasts for fifty minutes and is slightly different from the former releases. First of all, the overall tempo is slower. Most parts are mid- to up-tempo oriented, but from time to time Goathemy implement a subtle Doom-approach. Besides, the songs are better structured, yet it also means that the sound is somewhat catchier at the other hand. Is that a problem? No, it certainly is not, at least if this ‘safe’ approach does not bother.
The symbiosis of Black, Doom and Gothic Metal results in a varying album, and the equilibrium between these styles is just fine. Several Black-pieces do remind me, musically, to early Gehenna, even though the atmosphere is completely different. The Gothic elements are mainly based on certain melodic structures, but also Dark’s vocals do play an important role. Her voice replaces any synth or keyboard, and what’s more, she does not (try to) sing with such a fake, semi-operatic classical voice. Her clean vocals are pretty warm and emotional. In a way, I guess it might be comparable to Dismal Euphony or (Norwegian) colleagues within the scene. Also the dynamic drive and the darkening atmosphere are positive evolutions in comparison to any former material. But as mentioned before, Torn is catchy and not too complex, so the result lacks of danger and experiment, which can bother those who are looking for a ‘hit me by surprise’-effect.

83/100

Ivan Tibos.