An escape from the embers of modernity is found.
The ephemeral nature of modernity has often been the catalyst of some of the most compelling artistic expressions of escapism. Contrary to the notion that this approach of coping with the unpleasantness of present circumstances is necessarily shallow, a number of bands under the metal umbrella have taken the occasion to construct some truly deep and involved works of protest against the drudgery of the day.
Of particular note is Thy Kingdom Will Burn, a rather interesting new player in the Finnish melodic death metal scene that treads a stylistic path fairly similar to the nuanced, dream-like musical contemplations of noted veterans such as Insomnium and Omnium Gatherum. Having already unleashed two formidable LPs in the early 2020s following several years of honing their craft, 2025 has seen this fold break into even more substantial territory via their third and latest opus “The Loss And Redemption,” a lyrically compelling yet musically well-rounded excursion into the melancholy world of isolation and alienation that plagues the present age.
For a band toting a name that one might associate with the metalcore scene of the mid-2000s, this quartet proves a somewhat counterintuitive package as they play up the traditional side of the melodeath coin almost to a fault. The almost meditative and post-rock-informed influence of Insomnium is tempered with a more symmetrical and concise approach to songwriting and riff work that often dovetails with the classic stylings of Dark Tranquillity, while the occasional flash and flair of the six-string work put forth by vocalist and axe-wielder Sami Kujala and guitarist Esa Viren could almost be likened to the power metal-infused wizardry of Kalmah and early Norther.
Throw in some occasional folksy melodic hooks and dancing synthesizer lines that ring fairly similar to those put forth by Wintersun and a mighty battery from the drum work of Lauri Viren and the steady groove of bassist Janne Ruuskanen, and what this outfit brings to the table is typical yet also highly distinctive, bridging the divide between various subsets within Finland’s rich, near 30 year-long response to the Gothenburg scene.
In essence, what “The Loss And Redemption” presents is a manifesto of existential woe in 10 parts, marrying a deep sense of lyrical complexity with a compact and accessible songwriting approach. The opening trifecta of melancholy melodies with a frosty bite in “Perpetual Void”, “Obscure Existence” and “Martyrs Of Killing Floor” present the most distinctive examples of this synchronicity, the former sticking close to cold and contemplative character, as powerful metallic moments trade blows with serene atmospheric passages over its near 6-minute duration, while the second plays up a folksy set of melodic hooks with a driving feel and the latter does the same with a more thrashing character.
Sami’s vocal assault ranges from a shrill, jagged growl that would make Tomas Lindberg nod in approval to a smooth baritone chant that further accentuates the dueling themes of disquiet and tranquility inherent in the musical presentation, while the surrounding music is moderately complex, avoiding overt technical elements yet proving flashier than the bulk of Gothenburg and more atmospheric Finnish bands that has most greatly influenced this album’s overarching character.
The rest of the album follows the same basic modus operandi of infectious songwriting caught in a nuanced template. Among the most noteworthy musical chapters to unfold at the album’s center is the quasi-ballad “Escape From Solitude”, which plays the heaviest upon the band’s atmospheric prowess and invokes a more dissonant and agonizing feel while featuring the greatest amount of clean passages and keyboard usage, including a haunting piano line that weaves in and out of the arrangement at seemingly random intervals.
On the other hand, “They Have Come” stands tall among the pack by opting for a more riff-driven and methodical approach, underscoring Lauri’s ability to invoke a mighty thunder from behind the kit. But the most riveting entry to grace this album is that of “To End Of Times”, which is the rawest and most aggressive offering of the lot and also sees the most impressive lead guitar display. Then again, those with an eye for poignant musical moments might draw a comparable experience from the album’s closer “Sydanyo”, which is no slouch in the power department and presents a highly dynamic mix of chaotic and orderly, quieter moments.
The power of an album’s message can often make the difference between a good album and a great one, provided that the former doesn’t completely overshadow the latter. By this standard, “The Loss And Redemption” is pretty comfortably in the camp of greatness, though it tends to play things a bit safe within the confines of established melodic death metal parameters.
It’s the sort of album that just about any fan of the style can immediately understand and identify with, while the individual songs present a finely polished middle ground between the almost radio-oriented character of the traditional Gothenburg approach and the long-winded one common to the atmospheric and symphonic side of its Finnish counterpart.
But within its familiar blend of rich melodic motives and cold metallic bluster is the deep and intricate protests of a poet who is sick of the shallowness of the present and longing for a more spiritual existence, and it’s a perspective that most of the world has shared at some point.
Released By: Scarlet Records
Release Date: January 17th, 2025
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Musicians:
- Sami Kujala / Vocals, guitars
- Esa Viren / Guitars
- Lauri Viren / Drums
- Janne Ruuskanen / Bass
“The Loss And Redemption” Track-Listing:
- Perpetual Void
- Obscure Existence
- Martyrs Of Killing Floor
- Forever In Dark
- Escape From Solitude
- Suffering Sky
- They Have Come
- Dreams Of Calamity
- To End Of Times
- Sydānyō
Pre-order “The Loss And Redemption” HERE.
Excellent
Finnish quartet Thy Kingdom Will Burn take the opportunity for an escape from the tumult of modern society on their third studio LP to an enchanting result
-
Songwriting
-
Musicianship
-
Originality
-
Production
Source: bravewords.com
