ALBUM REVIEW: Anno 1696 – Insomnium
Finland has always been a haven for top-tier talent, particularly that of melodic death metal. Indeed, the land of a thousand lakes has a certain pedigree for spawning some of the best bands within melodeath with the likes of CHILDREN OF BODOM, AMORPHIS, KALMAH, OMNIUM GATHERUM and countless more leading the line for death metal’s more accessible relative. Within this pack sit INSOMNIUM. For over 25 years, the Joensuu-based band’s cocktail of melancholy-soaked heaviness has been at the forefront of melodic death metal as a whole thanks to a consistently strong discography, starting with 2002’s In The Halls Of Awaiting right through to 2019’s Heart Like A Grave. Three and a half years later, the band are back with Anno 1696, and to no-one’s surprise, it’s yet another stunning effort from one of melodeath’s titans.
INSOMNIUM are no strangers to the world of concept albums. 2016’s Winter’s Gate, drawn across one expansive and elaborate composition, is testament to that. But where 2016’s concept centred on “a group of Vikings who set out to find a fabled island west of Ireland, despite the treacherous winter drawing near”, Anno 1696 paints a much bleaker picture. Inspired by a time where famine crippled the North and the Torsåker witch trials were in full swing, the concept (which is based on an accompanying short story penned by bassist/vocalist Niilo Sevänen) intertwines with the music eloquently throughout the album’s runtime.
This harmony of thematic concept and music is clearly evident right from the off, as album opener 1696 serenades with folkish instrumentation before diving headfirst into a thundering passage of metallic power whilst guitarists Ville Friman, Markus Vanhala and Jani Liimatainen dispatch the band’s signature harmonising shred with utter aplomb. For INSOMNIUM aficionados, there is nothing out of the ordinary here, but that does not detract from the simple fact that it marks an emphatic start to the album.
From there, INSOMNIUM simply dazzle and sparkle with the consistency long-time listeners have become accustomed to. White Christ, arguably one of the most impactful songs penned by the band to date, croons and basks in melancholy as the mid-tempo pacing and additional firepower from guest Sakis Tolis (ROTTING CHRIST) and mournful guitars really helps bask the listener into the atmosphere, whereas Johanna Kurkela‘s guest vocals on Godforsaken add a sense of mysticism to the band’s sound that we’ve never heard from them before. It’s hair-raising stuff and it shows that even after all this time, INSOMNIUM can still leave jaws gaping.
Whilst the previous compositions played with mysticism and atmosphere, Lilian fires on all cylinders as a barrage of ear-pleasing riff work washes over you effortlessly and Sevänen dispatches his growled vocals with the utmost ease; The Witch Hunter dances with gorgeous harmonising leads and subtle splashes of sorrowful emotion; and The Unrest chills with its silky clean vocal deliveries and folk-laden instrumentation. It’s a stunning moment in the album’s latter stages and we’d be hard-pressed to find even the steeliest of listeners without a lump in their throat.
INSOMNIUM‘s consistency has been a cornerstone to their longevity and with Anno 1696 the Finns deliver another masterclass of melodic death metal. Polished, refined and sprinkled with enough experimentation to keep things fresh, this record is another fine addition to the band’s incredibly impressive arsenal. There’s something in the water in Finland when it comes to top tier melodic death metal, and this album is testament to that.
Rating: 9/10
Anno 1696 is set for release on February 24th via Century Media Records.
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