ALBUM REVIEW: Pithos – Insonika
Straddling Lake Vättern, Sweden’s second largest lake, in the province of Småland, lies the city of Jönköping. Surrounded by picturesque Swedish landscapes and imbued with the country’s innate ability for writing metal music in all its kinds, emerges INSONIKA. The band’s experimental and unique stoner sound has lead people to draw comparisons to the likes of GHOST and MASTODON. Following up 2019’s crushing collection of songs on False Awakening, INSONIKA have gone down the conceptual route with their new album Pithos. They have crafted a heavy and dominating album based on the Greek myth of Pandora and her box of mysteries and misery. Capturing the atmosphere perfectly with gigantic 1970s style organs, INSONIKA take you on a vivid adventure through the mysterious otherworld of Greek mythology.
The box is the source of grave and unexpected troubles; in the guise of a present which in reality is a terrible curse, the story of Pandora’s box is one synonymous with curiosity and how it has the potential to lead to dire consequences if we give in to it. This alone can strike fear into many sturdy hearts, however INSONIKA’s are sturdier than most. Exploring this story along with its mystery and misery is something to be admired, because once we get to the moral of the story it can leave us deeply reflective and melancholic. Even so, with their enormous sounding riffs woven with mesmeric keyboard lines, INSONIKA have allowed the subject matter to influence the music, as it moves mountains of emotions within you. Pithos is a cinematic journey that conjures up vivid imagery of the ancient Hellenic coastlines and landscapes, and just like Pandora you’re always left feeling curious as to what is coming next. Then you’re promptly belted in the face with an enormous, fiery riff sent from Hades himself.
What is captivating about this album is how seamlessly INSONIKA have fused RPG soundtrack atmospherics with massive sounding stoner riffs. This cinematic approach to their songwriting is a significant level above their last album. It is also easy to see the justified GHOST comparison throughout this album; the prominent and melodic organs alongside the mysterious vocals have a slight Tobias Forge tinge to them. However, Pithos is a testament to INSONIKA’s unique and distinctive approach to song craft. It is an expansive album, with deeply rich layers of fuzz and organ working together to create a cinematic soundscape that envelops you from the very first song. You’re thrust into this strange and desolate world through the power of their vocal melodies and harmonies. The pounding drums drive each song forward with purpose, and the band don’t dwell too long on similar patterns, instead mixing it up with a variety of dynamic musical devices. As far as stoner albums go, this is quite complex and experimental.
Opening up this of box of riffs is Pandora, whose slow and ominous build gently brings you into the album. It is the most melodic and emotional song that INSONIKA have written, and it sets the scene brilliantly with an OPETH level of melancholy. Pithos is a monolithically doomy song; dark to its core you can feel that Pandora’s box has been opened as the speakers shake next to you. Monsters In My Head continues to ramp up the energy with a heavy ascending riff and swirling keyboard drone chords. It is chaotic and frantic, as if the monsters inside your head have broken loose and they are causing carnage around you. The Plague brings the energy down at just the right moment – with droning, fuzzy riffs you’re able to catch a breath and reflect as you become entranced in the harmonies. Warmongers is a face-scrunching, head-nodding song as you prepare for battle with the evils that are closing in around you. The main riff is powerful and definitely starts to pump you up for the final track on the album, Dunes Of War. As the dust settles from Warmongers, you’re thrust into a moment of calm, as if you’re in the eye of the storm before being thrust into an anthem of gothic splendour. As destruction and desolation surround you, you’re left to think about the consequences of opening the box.
INSONIKA have created an intriguing, artistic and thought-provoking album. Melancholy is mixed with madness as the band capture the concept of Pandora’s box perfectly. Complex and mysterious, you can vividly imagine these events unfolding in front of your very eyes. This is an exciting release and one that makes you ponder the consequences if you opened your own Pandora’s box.
Rating: 8/10
Pithos is set for release on October 31st via self-release.
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