It really seems to me that there's nothing new to be done in the genre of melodeath (besides mixing it with other genres for original results). Hence why I find it extremely positive that Insomnium's latest, while being quite honestly another Insomnium album in that it doesn't feature anything dynamically too fresh from the band's perspective, still delivers on all fronts. One For Sorrow's got plenty of lush melodies on it while also retaining the aggression aspect of death metal. It's also generally uptempo, but doesn't sacrifice the atmospherically melancholic facet that Insomnium is known for because of it. At present, One For Sorrow is (probably) the best melodeath album I've heard this year. If there's any better out there, don't be shy to recommend away.
I was really worried that this band would follow in the footsteps of so many melodic death metal bands and compromise their sound over time, but they've stayed true to their roots while still growing as a solid metal band.
I do not like the clean vocals. Don't get me wrong, they are well-done -- I just don't want them. The whole clean-chorus fad just needs to die, but apart from that, this album kicks. Another inspired Insomnium album, destined for my yearly list.
