Album Type: Full-Length
Date
Released:
7/11/2014
Label: Season of
Mist
‘IV
– One with the Storm’ CD//LP//DD track listing:
1). Wretched
Blues
2). Departures
3). Aurora
4). Disembodied Voices
5). Electra Complex
6). Stones and Pillars
7). Anchored
8). The Knife
9). Long Way to the Graves
10). Elämä On Tulta
2). Departures
3). Aurora
4). Disembodied Voices
5). Electra Complex
6). Stones and Pillars
7). Anchored
8). The Knife
9). Long Way to the Graves
10). Elämä On Tulta
Ghost
Brigade is:
Manne Ikonen
| Vocals
Tommi Kiviniemi | Guitar
Wille Naukkarinen | Guitar
Veli-Matti Suihkonen | Drums
Joni Saalamo | Bass
Joni Vanhanen | Keyboards
Tommi Kiviniemi | Guitar
Wille Naukkarinen | Guitar
Veli-Matti Suihkonen | Drums
Joni Saalamo | Bass
Joni Vanhanen | Keyboards
Review:
Being
a big fan of music that evokes the desire to sit in the corner and weep, the
latest offering from Ghost Brigade ‘IV- One With the Storm’ is welcomed with
open arms. Heavy in places, soft in others, this album captures a perfect blend
of ferocity and melody. Elements of Katatonia emerge through the prominence of
melodic doom, although various styles of metal are incorporated within the
album, flashes of Opeth are certainly apparent in parts. Although this is a
relatively sombre album, the post rock chuggy rhythms lighten up the
melancholic vocals, along with the pensive lyrical content the album becomes an
emotional journey of ups and downs.
‘Wretched
Blues’ is a depiction of their heavy side, immersed with growled vocals and
pummelling riffs, it sets a tone that isn’t exactly continued throughout the
album, but is a great antithesis to the more chilled out, melancholic melodies
that follow. ‘Departures’ is the track of the album, predominantly due to the
undisputable catchiness of the chorus and the aforementioned Katatonia style, portrayed
particularly through the guitars. Manne
Ikonen’s
clean vocals have almost a grungy style, at times sounding a bit like Layne
Staley and a lot like Shaun Morgan from Seether. The change up between clean
and extreme vocals is utilized well, adding an unpredictable element to some of
the songs. ‘Disembodied Voices’ encapsulates Ikonen’s varying vocal style,
going from delicate emotionally charged clean vocals to a pained roar.
The
album does meander slightly towards the end, ‘Long Way to the Grave’ maybe
perceived a bit too emotionally exhausting for some people. Nevertheless, the
overall strength of the album is prevalent. In basic terms ‘IV - One with the
Storm’ is a very likeable album, it’s not too heavy, it’s not too doom and
gloomy, it strikes a good balance that caters to a widespread section of metal
fans. Ultimately, it’s memorable, and an easy un-demanding listen, that
deserves your full attention. It certainly grabbed mine.
Words by: Heather
Blewett
You
can pick up a CD/LP copy here.
For more
information:
