Review Summary: 'Time II' is an album recorded 15 years ago and it sounds every minute its true age.
Please note, the following review is specifically about the commercially released version of Time II. The 'Dynamic -2db' version of the album is a notable improvement and the ideal version to listen to. I strongly suggest anyone wanting to listen to Time II to source this version or wait for its official release as currently it is only obtainable from the 'Time Package' pre-order.
For the blissfully ignorant, the project 'Time' was originally teased in 2006 with a gigantic, ambitious tracklist and an even more ambitious concept. Months became years as Wintersun updated his website (now deleted) with a variety of reasons as to why this album couldn't be completed. Any jokes aside about 32bit VSTs and the noise of construction work outside his apartment, it appeared to be a truthfully unsurmountable challenge for Jari to complete what was to be his masterwork - a continuation of the shockingly organic mixture of melodic death metal, black metal and power metal into a seamless and epic blend.
When the world didn't end in 2012, it was announced that the album would be split into two parts - the first of which coming in October of that year. Though divisive in some circles due to the emphasis on symphonics and the somewhat under-powered mix, it was generally a well received project - albeit with the common criticism of being unsubstantial in its length. This was soon to be remedied however, with the second portion coming in 2013.
Stylistically, 'Time I' was absolutely a 'devil in the details' album that was constantly unravelling during its runtime - further, though the final master was admitedly rather thin, there was enough space in the mix to pick out distinct parts. This made revisits all the more rewarding and if you're a fan of the highly-orchestrated, bombastic and somewhat cheesy presentation, it was absolutely a rewarding listen with a razor-sharp focus on compositional progression. Alas, without using a predictable joke about time, it's been 11 years since then.
The core reason Jari wasn't ready to release the second half - which he reported was fully recorded - was due to being unsatisfied with the mix. Two crowdfunding campaigns - each of which were successful - raised funds to assist in his endeavour to build his own studio. Granted, I have very strong feelings about the necessity of this, but his bewilderingly passionate fans spoke with their euros. The studio still doesn't exist for a variety of financial reasons, but Jari reportedly was able to upgrade his home studio enough to complete 'Time II'.
It now raises the key question that caused the 11 year release delay in the first place - why on earth does it sound as bad as it does? Whether you're surprised or not by this revelation, 'Time II' is an overblown, wall-of-sound where no distinct features can be made out. The pitfalls of mixing and mastering your own material is on display here in droves. The reason it is beneficial to have separate bodies mixing and mastering your work is because you become attuned to the finer details as you mix and you subconsciously make up the gaps in your head when in reality those finer details are all but inaudible to anybody else listening. This was a more localized issue on 'Time I' and 'The Forest Seasons' but here it's maddening and pervades the entire runtime.
It already doesn't help that Jari opted for a far more digital, over-compressed signature that means I'd be surprised if even 5% of the five hundred tracks he claims are in the mix are remotely audible on any sound system. Now, there is a more dynamic mix of Time II in the 50 euro time package that perhaps remedies some of these issues, but this is the version that was commercially released and thus it's the only one that can be judged.
Musically it is - somewhat thankfully - more of the same. Fast, melodic and theatrical metal with excessive symphonics interwoven into the progressions. But it becomes clear - and quickly - that the best material from the 'Time' sessions were on part one. Dynamics couldn't be more important in music this bombastic because given enough time it all ends up sounding the same and none of it ends up having any impact. It ends up being a loud, flat and hollow sound that signifies nothing. As such, these songs end up wearing so thin less than half way through.
The album's second song 'The Way of the Fire', which I'm convinced sounded better on the live bootleg recordings floating around online from 2016, runs out of ideas at about the seven minute mark when it falls into a brief string interlude. It then comes back for another three minutes of repeated metal sections and furthers the repetition and fatigue. 'Storm' is absolutely begging for a clearer mix as it's no doubt the most detailed and intense song of the whole 'Time' project - all of which feels wasted and doesn't translate whatsoever. 'Silver Leaves', the endlessly hyped song by Jari himself, is yet another casualty. A slow burning ballad begging for subtlety in its presentation but not being granted any. It's honestly a shame that Jari's vocal take isn't stronger here, as he's proven he can sing better than what's presented here - it's almost sad to listen to him struggle to keep up with the pace of the song and the notes.
I realize I haven't spared any time to discuss the interludes, the track 'One with the Shadows', the somewhat interesting Eastern influences, the admitedly great musicianship... because it all amounts to nothing if the presentation isn't quality. You can draw any criticism you like to 'Time I's sound and though some of it is valid, it's without a doubt an upgrade to this. Though it is always ideal to judge a piece of art on its own merits, it's really difficult to ignore the fact that in the 15~ years from writing this material there have been countless bands who picked up the mantle and have since exceeded his execution.
Jari simply should have released 'Time II' in the state it was in during 2013 and cut his losses. The additional 11 years taken to produce this album, to the contrary of its intention, butchered it. 'Time II' is disappointing beyond words, but there's an odd sense of relief that this chapter of the band is over and he can move onto new projects unhindered by this project's legacy. Jari is absolutely a skilled musician, songwriter and performer - his past works speak for themselves. If he can find it in himself to allow others into the producing phase and hire someone else to do his PR perhaps a disaster like this will be avoidable in the future.
