| CD REVIEW Barren Earth |
 |
|
Band: Barren Earth Barren Earth are a new band from Finland, consisting of members who are / were involved with bands as Swallow The Sun, Mannhai, Chaosbreed, Amorphis, Moonsorrow etc. Indeed, you can speak about a ‘super-formation’, if you want to. However, a line-up with well-known members from well-known bands does not necessarily evolve into acceptable proportions, but in this case it might be clear that the collaboration of the members’ experiences has resulted in a modest definition of ‘super-band’. Hold on, don’t go mad immediately – this isn’t the best Finnish recording ever at all – but the result of this sextet’s co-operation certainly is of a high quality. Roughly defined you can label this band’s effort as some kind of modern melodic Doom / Death Metal with a Finnish core. The atmospheric tracks combine melodious elements with heavier parts, based on a guitar- and keyboard-driven foundation, supported by a rather heavy rhythm section and with both death grunts and melodic, sometimes harmonious vocals – the latter sometimes giving a modest touch of Suomi-inspired Folk Rock / Metal. It is impossible to speak about originality, but because this band sweetly combines elements from Finnish acts as Amorphis, Swallow The Sun, Sentenced, or Dawn Of Relic, and even Opeth and Candlemass, with ease and knowledge, the lack of being renewing is superfluous. The whole does sound a little bit darkened / obscure (not blackening), going for both production / sound as well as compositional approach, and that makes the whole much more interesting than the pathetic overload on would-be releases that come from the Country of a Thousand Lakes. Believe me: I’m not crazy (oke, maybe I am, but that does not matter right here) about ‘Finnish melodic Metal’ in general, but this formation is one of the exceptions that gives me both a warm and cold feeling – and that’s something I do like. 82/100 Ivan Tibos. |