Despite what many opponents of the band may say, Insomnium's well-worn niche in their respective interpretation of melodic death metal is one that they rule with an iron fist. Their depressive take on the genre is one that rings true with emotion and sincere songwriting prowess, from the thunderous and melodic riffs to the wayward acoustic interludes that piece themselves around the compositions fairly prevalently, but each time placed in a way that the structures fail to become repetitive.
Above The Weeping World is a more focused album that ever before for Insomnium, sticking true to what they do best but exploring the many ways it can be presented with a thorough and satisfying exhaustiveness.
The intensity and straight-forwardness of the single “Mortal Share” contrasts the lumbering and deep “At The Gates Of Sleep”, showing the dynamic ability for Insomnium to swing powerfully even though contained within a relatively suffocating space. Tracks like "In The Groves Of Death" feature exhausting beauty and ravaging sorrow that simply no band in the world has replicated in its sheer emotional sincerity, setting Insomnium far above any of their contemporaries. Exploring all the facets of melodic death metal with a seemingly unending catalog of highly melodic and incredibly memorable riffs is the norm on
Above The Weeping World, backed by a respectably solid showing by the drums and bass, which are mixed well and not buried or overshadowed. The diversity of songs like “The Killjoy” contain the drawn-out, emotion-laden compositions that are at this point typical Insomnium while shoehorning in intense and sharp rhythms that fit well with Niilo Sevanen’s fitting, if a bit rigid, growls.
It’s hard to point out any real negatives to an album that was so well-composed and complete, an achievement that Insomnium have rightfully attained with
Above The Weeping World. There are moments of serenity, moments of intensity, and moments of emotional purity that let you know that everything here is sincere and true. Nothing seems shallow or faked; no riffs lose themselves in their own pretenses. Each and every song has a purpose that, once added together, reveals an overall picture that surpasses the notion of being the sum of its individual parts. It’s an art, and one that Insomnium are well-versed in, because the deep colors and clashing shades are smooth and clean, and despite being painted on the canvas of a genre that seems worn and tattered,
Above The Weeping World is a breathtaking piece.
