PANDEMONIUM
Insomnia
© JCM 2002
-
7.5 -
PANDEMONIUM
are yet another of a long list of Melodic Death Metal bands out of Sweden.
However, I think after hearing this album that they deserve a bit more
recognition than just a passing reference. They've been around since
the latter part of the 90's and Insomnia is their third official release.
This isn't the first band to use the title PANDEMONIUM as I can vividly
recall buying a pretty decent mini LP back in the middle 80's by an American
band of the same name.
As this genre of
Death Metal goes these days, one should expect heavy keyboard usage, a
sprinkling of clean vocals and plenty of enchanting melodies. Here
however, PANDEMONIUM employ more piano than keyboard and the result is
quite nice. The album's sound is efficient enough, if not a bit conservative
on the guitars. I also had the distinct sense that this band borrowed heavily
from early IN FLAMES, circa The Jester Race. Mesh that
sound with modern day WITHERING SURFACE with heavy laid-down piano and
you have PANDEMONIUM. Insomnia didn't strike me as
anything extraordinary on my initial listen but I have found, as so often
is the case, that the more I have listened the more I have gotten out of
it. The melodies are especially both memorable and well arranged
with a great piano/guitar interplay. Expect the usual vocal
approach - deep and gruff, with an occasional melodic second voice, compliments
of the man behind the piano and keys. The band create a serene and
relaxing atmosphere much of the time, only to break into periodic fits
of speedy and fueled Death Metal lending Insomnia a nice
contrast.
Though this style
of Death Metal has been done too, well, death I happen to really dig this
release and plan to seek out the PANDEMONIUM back catalog. Insomnia
is something you ought to consider. Discs can be had at the band's
homepage.
Back
To Index