Customer Reviews

Stained

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It is quite something to believe that so much talent can come from such a young group of ambitious boys. We have all had that idea in our heads once or more of being in a band, and I think that these five individuals had that same idea less than seven years ago. By that time they were most likely in their early teens, and now they are playing with the biggest Metal names in Europe. I am seriously surprised at the skill each member displays with their own art.

Aleksi Sihvonen performs a fantastic balance of guitar shredding and waterfall finger movements along the entire neck of his guitar while accomplishing vocals at the same time. As childish as he may look, he sounds undeniably recognizable to Alexi Laiho. HOWEVER!!!!!!! Aleksi also happens to perform Power Metal vocals, which isn't the greatest thing to me and kind of ruins the songs that have them a little. Teemu Mantysaari really impresses me, as he is just three years older than I am. The way this guy customizes his axe's sound is incredible for his age, and I give him props and the ability to play with the likes of other well aged Melodic Death Metal bands. Aleksi Virta pumps up the fusion of Metal and keyboards just as well as Children Of Bodom's Janne, Kalmah's Pasi (Yes I know they have a new one, but Pasi did it the best), and Norther's Tuomas ever could. His young age is the only difference, and if you never knew that, you couldn't tell the difference between his talent and the other previously mentioned bands' keyboardists. Eki Nurmikari, the only member even considered to be "old" in this case, is still as young and fresh as any other bassist in this Metal division. Of course I wouldn't leave him saying he isn't anything but an invaluable bassist. Jaakko Nylund is another kid fresh off the block that delivers everything in one album Children Of Bodom have delivered in at least three of their own.

Every song has its own beauty that can only be heard without words to describe it. The fact that a band so young can deliver such great music is astonishing. Everyday here in America I have to live surrounded by the worst music created. In America, the only thing you are bombarded with is petty mainstream trash, so I feel fortunate to love Metal and lucky to have come across gems like this. Only Metal could ever put great albums out, and this truly great form of music influenced Imperanon. I hope they will release a new album soon, because it will only be a privilege to hear what they will come up with next. Give these young guys a go, you will not be disappointed one bit. When you create music because you love music, like these guys have, you get something from the fans who really appreciate what you do...respect.

The other reviews sum it up nicely. If you like COB, Norther, etc... you will love this as well.

Here we have Imperanon's, first full-length album, Stained. Imperanon is a melodic-death metal band from Finland. They have a standard, run-of-the-mill Finnish sound, but add in a neo-classical twist; much like Children of Bodom's older releases. The guitar riffing is very noodlely and power metal-esque. Fast pace solos and well thought out melodies. The vocals are much like Petri Lindroos', as a matter of fact, the singer from Imperanon just replaced Petri in Norther. There are also a couple of guest appearances from which add to the power metal sound. The Keyboards are also well heard and stand out, and there is a lot of variation with them as well. The rhythm section is spot on melodic death metal at its finest. It is a worthy release and if your into COB or Finnish metal, neo-classical, and anything with virtuoso playing i would defiantly recommend this album.

I own this CD and this band is a talented group of new faces, and definitley worth a listen of you like Children of Bodom, Kalmah, Norther, Warmen, Wintersun, Sinergy etc. Sounds kind of like early bodom. Riffs are not "stolen" from children of bodom, as I've heard some people claim; unless Alexi Laiho invented the multi octave arpeggio. Only thing I heard that was "stolen" was a vivaldi-ish riff late in the album, but even so it sounded pretty damn cool. (I love everything neoclassical.)
Some cool lyrics here and there, lots of fast solos, harpsichords (much love) arp patterns, speedy drumwork, blatant display of musical dexterity all that good stuff. I also like soprano female singer on shadowsouls. (get the limited edition cd with bonus tracks, there's a demo of shadowsouls that is different and also excellent.) This is *NOT* power metal, nor is it power metal with harsh vocals (I also listen to a lot of power metal), Imperanon is Melodic Death/Melodic Black among a bunch of other possible generes. Hard to define, like bodom and wintersun and such bands.
Amazing talent for such a young group of musicians!

Highly recommended.

I constantly listen to this album because it contains songs that get right to the point. It's not original but very catchy and extremely fast. I could headbang to every song here without trying to interpret the songs. I think Imperanon take the playing styles of Children of Bodom while taking on the mood of Norther, which is a plus. They don't sound similar to Kalmah at all.
Also, some of the riffs are highly memorable, especially the last song, which has an American-like anthemized riff. Also, the keyboards are noteworthy here, taking focus on some parts of songs, like Bodom and Norther both do. Finally, there is one song with a female singing "Shadowsouls," which is another plus as I love female oriented power metal bands (not symphonic metal) such as Synergy (which Alexi is in) and Ebony Ark.
All the songs are truly interesting. The slowest song is midtempoed actually so there are no slow ones. If you have any taste in Bodom or Norther, this album is a must. We're looking at a good future for these guys.

this cd is awesome. Imperanon are yet another badass band to come out of Finland. Their sound is very similiar to Children of Bodom, Kalmah, and Norther. If you like those bands, you'll like them. Buy it, you won't regret it.

These guys can play very well, but Imperanon sound like (old) Children's of Bodom's younger brother, even down to the vocals. Would have been great if it had a shred of originality.

I love melodic death-metal (like At the Gates, Insomnium, Scar Symmetry, early In Flames, Callenish Cirle, etc).

Imperanon has crafted quite a good recording in "Stained". But, for some reason, the following thought keeps popping into my head:

- too much "melodic"
- not enough "death metal"

Imperanon is one of the best melodic death metal bands I've heard in a while. With the utter downfall of In Flames (who's new album is horrible) and even Children of Bodom (who I love but Hatecrew Death Roll definitely left something to be desired) Imperanon picked up where these bands left off at their apex. Not to mention Aleksi, the Singer/Lead guitarist is 19 and phenominal. I'd compare this band most to COB, you can really hear their influence but there's a few differences too, like the clean vocals in Hollow Man or the girl with an amazing voice in Shadowsouls. All in all, if you like melodic death metal you'll love this band.

Well here it is, another of the power/speed metal with harsh vocals and even some neo-classical leanings. Are they from finland your asking yourself, and the answer of course is yes. Their sound is rather similar to that of Bodom, but not to say that they are a rip off, because that is certainly not the case. This album actually comes out to a rather diverse listen. Good high pitched harsh vocals, very smooth, so they fit the music nicely. Great leads through most songs, with keys following them often, it sounds very good of course, that's what's called ear candy! Towards the end of the album is where the diversity comes in. There is a song where he does clean vocals, which is very cool, and is done quite well. Then we have a song where lead vocals are handled by a female. She's no opera singer like Epica's leading lady, but she has a good voice, and it sounds cool. Towards the end she has kind of a "duet" with the harsh vocals, and it meshes well. Then the very last song on the album is a folk song int eh vein of Korpiklaani. This was a fun touch, and there to pay homage to their country. These boys were very promising, it saddens me that they broke up after this album. Bottom line, this is a great album. If you enjoy Children Of Bodom, Norther, Kalmah, Eternal Tears Of Sorrow, etc etc and the overall "Finnish" sound then you oughta pick this up, you will enjoy it, and be glad that you did. (I even listened to it as I wrote this! haha)