Customer Reviews

Across the Dark (Dlx)

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Lets face it if your even interested in this album you are into the extreme side of the Metal universe. If your seeking something unrelentingly heavy and/or the most brutal album ever created I would advise looking into Behemoth's new album Evangelion. Across The Dark definitely has the heaviness you seek but also slows things down a bit utilizing dark (bordering on the edge of gothic at times) arrangements to add more structure to the songs rather then a complete barrage of chaotic riffing.

If your not scared away then there is a lot here you should/will enjoy. Insomnium have always been in the Melodic Death camp but this, there latest release further defines there want to experiment with the melodic side of their music. The opening track 'Equivalence' begins with some very tranquil guitar and bass, the drums kick in and some soft whispering is heard as the programmed arrangements fade in and soon the guitars strike up. The opener leads directly into the second track (a personal favorite) 'Down With The Sun'.

The second track definitely has a slower paced tempo not unheard by various Doom Metal groups but the guitars keep a faster pace not unlike that of the 90's Melo Death bands utilized. It is truly difficult to place this in any specific Sub Genre but that is where the power of this album lies, it stands on its own rather then follow others foot steps. Moving on the third track picks up the pace with far more up tempo guitars and head bang worthy riffing. 'Where The Last Wave Broke' also is the first track to offer some clean vocals to add to the atmosphere of the chorus.

'Against The Stream' follows as yet another faster paced track showcasing some of my favorite lead guitars on the album. Ville & Ville deserve special credit as the guitars on Across The Dark steal the show and are easily the backbone of the album. Whether it be the subtle melodic Acoustics to the roaring leads these two show amazing chemistry and musicianship. In case you are wondering why this album has such a short track listing, the following track would be the first reason 'The Lay Of Autumn' clocks in at 9:10 and is by far (in my opinion) the best track on the album.

From the melodic acoustics and subtle atmospheric arrangements to the amazing soloing and impressive drum work this track (The Lay Of Autumn) truly showcases all that the band aimed for on this album and is a must hear for anyone even remotely intrigued. 'Into The Woods' is a roller coaster of low to mid paced tempos and some of the finest song structure on the album and some of my favorite lyrics. Speaking of which Across The Dark has easily some of the best written lyrical content the band has released to date, surprisingly they are also some of the most positive lyrics by the group as well.. Here is an example as heard on the track 'Into The Woods'...

"Now close your eyes
And open your weary heart
Let me soothe away the woes
Of fiendish world..."

"As will the sun bathe the land
In its warming light
So shall the moon ascend
To guide the day to wane
In turn the rain to hush
The tumult of this world
And the wind to rise,
Sigh a lullaby in trees"

Yes, there are many darker passages on the album but the band seemed to level out the dark and lighter parts of the album showing they are getting more creative in the writing department and not afraid to experiment. The closer of the album 'Weighted Down With Sorrow' begins as easily one of the most tranquil tracks on the album with some eerie arrangements accented with the albums trademark acoustics. The song soon twists into an anthematic mid paced rocker with another break to acoustics and some more quality leads.

After listening to this album and really criticizing the music and putting serious thought to it I have come up with only one other band that really has a true similarity. Though I may get flogged by fans I have to admist that Insomnium and Opeth both have a similar grasp on leveling the heaviness with the melodic atmosphere. Even the growled vocals have similarities and the lyrical content is just as intelligent. I am not saying one band is cloning the other, simply that fans of this may also enjoy Opeth's various works.

All in all I consider this easily one of the best releases of 2009 and a must hear for fans of bands that utilize a more melodic approach to Extreme music. As previously said the Guitars are a definite standout through out the album and fans (like myself) of good melodic leads should find the ones showcased here appeasing. I highly recommend Across The Dark to all fans of the Metal scene and ask that you all at least head over to the bands MySpace and check out a few tracks.

Lastly I am trying to support the scene by writing these lengthy reviews here on Amazon and would be honored if you would take the time to click 'Yes' below and further more check out the rest of my reviews. Following will be a short list of other albums you may be interested in if you enjoyed Across The Dark, Thank you for reading.

In The Halls Of Awaiting by Insomnium
Since the Day It All Came Down by Insomnium
Above the Weeping World by Insomnium
Blackwater Park by Opeth
Ghost Reveries by Opeth
Watershed by Opeth
Isolation Songs by Ghost Brigade

Thanks again for reading,

-A loyal Insomnium Fan

A couple of months ago, I bought this album's predecessor, Above The Weeping World, based on a recommendation from a fellow fan of Dark Tranquillity. I consider ATWW a pretty good CD, but it never grew on me the way I hoped it would. Still holding out hope for Insomnium, I reluctantly bought Across The Dark, and I'm so glad I did because this album improves upon ATWW in every possible way:

-- The songs are more atmospheric
-- The riffs, while not earthshaking, are more interesting
-- The clean vocals, which are used somewhat sparingly, eliminate the monotony of 100% growled/roared vocals.
-- The production is cleaner, but the album is in no way over-produced

I just cannot emphasize enough how pleasantly surprised I was by Across The Dark. I didn't expect anything to beat out Amorphis' Skyforger as my favorite album of 2009, but I think Across The Dark may have done it. If you like Amorphis, Dark Tranquillity, or Opeth, then you need to hear this.

If you are a die-hard Insomnium fan, you will not be disappointed. This is what I expect an Insomnium record to sound like. However, there is one clear difference-there are a lot more clean vocals on this album than any other album (but still not a lot). Overall, the album is very good, but will probably rank low on my list of favorite Insomnium albums. There are no songs that really stand out (though they are all good) amongst the other Insomnium songs (I have all their albums). Lay of the Autumn, the longest song on the album, sounds very much like Opeth to me (I like Opeth, but not nearly as much as Insomnium) and has a great deal of clean vocals ... oddly enough it is probably my favorite song on the album.

Even in its "plainness" this is still definitely an album worth getting if you like Insomnium.

Not to be outdone on my last mediocre review of an Insomnium album, I'm writing a review for this one too! For some reason, Insomnium albums always start out so-so for me, and the more I listen to them, the more I love them. The clean vocals on this one were a bit of surprise, but they totally work. Insomnium delivers on this, and they write really catchy, listenable stuff. I'm surprised these guys are not more popular than they are!

Across the Dark, the new release by Insomnium is much like the previous albums so I am sure previous fans will enjoy the record just the same. The only problem I currently have with Insomnium and the previous record is that who ever they have mixing does a TERRIBLE job. Vocals are pushed behind the mix a majority of the time, guitars and drums do not really seperate. At times in the album there is a lot going on, and while you can make it out for them to really woe me their next release I would hire a better audio engineer to mix my album. As for the music its superb, very melodic. I was expecting some heavy breakdowns but they never prevailed. I still listen to it so I am fairly happy with my purchase.

"Atmospheric" is a word used over and over by an Insomnium band member when describing songs on this album. Yes: atmospheric but I'd use the term "catchy" as well. This is an instantly orgasmic album. The first time you hear it you will go, "WOW!" Mate Amorphis with Swallow the Sun and you have their child Insomnium (which is funny because all 3 have toured together). What I love about Finnish bands is that they can be uptempo but depressing at the same time. They can be melodic but also brutal (the one attribute every Metal band strives to achieve). Across the Dark is an extremely well thought out, beautifully produced album. If you can find joy in desolation, check out Across the Dark.

Being an Insomnium fan by far the other albums they've made were not as close as to this one, simply because i enjoyed their clean vocals and epic sounds that lack in the other songs (except mortal share, the elder). Overall this is by far the best album i heard and hopes this band rises to its peak because it deserves to be heard more and stand out in the melodic death metal scene. I will never forget this band and remembered the first time i heard this band play i was astonished and loved them, never heard anything like them ever and nothing will come even close.

Insomnium is by far the best of melody and Death Metal. This album is beautifully done, its even better then there previous albums, in that they changed the tempo a bit and added a few "soft-core" or non-dark vocals. The melodies are also very deep and atmospheric, the music will take you to another place.

I'm not the best at reviews, but I have never heard any band compare to Insomnium, before, and still. There melodies and dark lyrics are just indescribable to me. If anyone is a fan of Melodic Death Metal, you need to get this. Even a Death Metal fan, who's looking for more in there music other then drums and guitar should give this a go. A++ music

I was blown away by these guys. I've listened to a lot of metal, and I have to say that I'm highly impressed with the talent of this band. When I play this CD I actually get to enjoy playing it all the way through, not just skipping tracks to the ones I like, because I like all the songs. I think if Mozart and Beethoven and all the important composers were alive today, composing METAL music....they'd be writing stuff like this. This music is genius. I will be buying the rest of Insomnium's music as soon as I can.

When a genre becomes so saturated with bands plying their wares only the truly great stand out amongst the throngs.
Insomnium are one of those bands who constantly stand out. Along with Be'lakor they put so much meaning and emotion into their songs they draw the listener in completely.
Their sound is heavily influenced by Opeth (in their heavier moments) but they also have their own flavour.
'Down With the Sun' is easily one of the best songs I have heard. Ever.
Not much more can be said but bring out more albums.