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Welcome To Unbound Zine |
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| Album Review |
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Immortal Souls-Ice Upon the Night
(Facedown, 2004)
Facedown is probably one of the last labels you would expect to license a melodic death metal album from Finland, but here it is! Immortal Souls like I mentioned are from Finland and play a melodic style of death metal reminiscent of Dark Tranquility, Soilwork and Children of Bodom.
Now that I think about it it’s actually somewhat of a stretch to call this death metal. It’s more like an aggressive combination of power metal and a bit of Swedish melody. It’s actually a lot more mid tempo then most melodic death metal bands and doesn’t really pick up the pace more then a few times throughout the entire cd. I hear the power metal influence in how there are a lot of guitar leads, and the overall melodic approach leans towards power metal. It’s actually what reminds me the most of Children of Bodom, who themselves actually have a lot of power metal influence to their sound.
Like I mentioned earlier this band is very melodic. Very few riffs will go by without a melody or twin guitar run on top. A lot of people might assume that this makes the band sound like In Flames, but I wouldn’t agree. The type of melodies just aren’t similar. In Flames has always leaned more towards the Iron Maiden side of things, and I’m not sure who in particular I’d compare these melodies to. They definitely do add a lot to the music and help the songs breath and become more then just a collection of riffs.
Guitar solos are a big part of the bands sound as well. There was a time when I was a bit tired of solos, but these are some of the best I’ve heard in a long time. The guitar player can definitely play, but he isn’t always showing off all of his talents. He lays back, and only lets it rip on occasion. If every solo was a mind numbing frenzy of notes I’d be left dizzy, but thankfully these solos are tasteful.
One of the main complaints I had at first was the lack of speed. But the more I listened the more it made sense. These guys aren’t all about speed, they have a tight approach to songwriting and keep things concise. I did really enjoy the bands faster moments, so I would have liked to see a few more, but overall it doesn’t hurt the album. You just can’t go into this expect a blisteringly fast album, and you won’t be disappointed.
If you are looking for a well written album of melodic and diverse metal then look no further. I could see fans of Children of Bodom and Soilwork especially being into this. Fans of melodic and solo filled metal take note!
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UN: An ideal place to start would be how exactly did Immortal Souls come into contact with Facedown Records? A melodic metal album definitely stands out on a label that is mostly known for hardcore punk.
A.Sarkioja(bass/vocals): It was greatly due to relations with the two labels, Fear-Dark and Facedown. I didn't know the label before, simply because I don't listen to HC so much, but guys at Facedown are great and it is good to have album out to US now with them.
UN: New let’s start at the beginning of Immortal Souls. Can you go through a history of how the band came together? Did any of you know each other from previous bands?
A.Sarkioja(bass/vocals): All latter changes has been to some of Esa's old band mates. It is good he has contacts to these talented musicians, as we have been twice in a situation that we needed quality players fast. I have recruited some help, but Esa has found all the guys that have become members.
UN: I read that your previous drummer has just left the band and you know have a replacement. Who is the new drummer, and how has he been working out? Does his playing bring anything new to the table?
A.Sarkioja(bass/vocals): Our 4 piece pack has just been updated with JP Koivisto, new drummer to join after Jupes regrettable departure of the group. I am sure that new guy brings in a new sound. Our music is a coalition of the members, and there is part of everybody's persona involved. Therefore sound always evolves with the artists even thou music is written by me and Esa.
UN: Did you have an idea of what style of music you would be playing when the band first started? It’s fairly obvious that you guys are influenced by the Swedish sound, so was the band started out of a love for melodic metal?
A.Sarkioja(bass/vocals): Band was founded due to love of doom metal. We played slow and depressive music first, but in 1998 we made the firs EP with melodic death metal sound, you could say that it was an era of music study and Swedish sound is close to my heart. We got bored with the doom and made needed changes.
UN: Has it taken some time for the band to shape the Swedish influences into your own sound? You can hear hints of Dark Tranquility, In Flames, and possibly even Soilwork, but it doesn’t come across as being unoriginal.
A.Sarkioja(bass/vocals): All those great bands are influences to us, and it is true that late 90s we started to play just the music we ourselves then loved.
UN: Is the winter metal description something you guys would agree on as a good description of the band? There are definitely a lot of cold elements musically to the band in some of the melodies, and of course there is the winter related subject matter as well.
A.Sarkioja(bass/vocals): Yes, I think Wintermetal is a good way to describe us. It has been used widely, and is great definition.
UN: Does the Facedown version of Ice Upon the Night feature a different cover? I believe I noticed a very different cover if I’m not mistaken. Are there any other differences or is it essentially the same album?
A.Sarkioja(bass/vocals): Album is otherwise just the same, but Facedown made a new cover to differ it from the original version.
UN: I haven’t had the chance to check out any of your previous material. Does it differ in anyway to Ice Upon the Night? Would you say that the band has progressed over the years since Under the Northern Sky and your twp eps?
A.Sarkioja(bass/vocals): Ice Upon the Night" is a good continuity to our previous work, there is more production value to it, but feel and look is very us, as the previous recordings.
UN: Would you say that Finland has a fairly good scene for heavy music? There seems to be a great number of heavy bands from the country, and Spinefarm is a label that seems to be fairly well known throughout the metal scene. Would you say that the scene in Finland is supportive of Immortal Souls?
A.Sarkioja(bass/vocals): Scene is great in Finland, there is lot of good bands and more is coming all the time. Our main audience is in central Europe, we don't do so much in Finland anymore. We had so long Finnish tours and shows, that now as we can we try to go into different places and other countries.
UN: Do you think that being from Finland might hold you guys back to a certain extent? Possibly just because it’s quit a travel when it comes to touring. I couldn’t even imagine how much it would cost for you guys to come over to the US. I do think I read something about a tour being in the works though. Any word on that?
A.Sarkioja(bass/vocals): The US tour was cancelled for our disappointment, but there is new plans to do this. Distances are great, but when there is demand, it can be done easily. Facedown is currently planning a tour at the US soil.
UN: Would you agree that to a certain extent you almost have a bit of a power metal or prog feel to some of the songs? I think I mainly hear it in the guitar solos though. You guys aren’t afraid to show that you can play. Would you say that guitar solos are a big part of the bands sound?
A.Sarkioja(bass/vocals): olos and melodies are one part that makes our sound, I couldn't imagine our song without a guitar melody, and solos are big part to a metal music I think, it should be portrayed in that sense. We have power, prog and as well some of the 80s guitar hero band influences.
UN: Do you guys find it exciting that your album will be in many more stores now that Facedown is handling the release in the US? I’m sure before it would nearly be impossible to find an Immortal Souls cd, but now you can probably find them at pretty close to every record store that sells aggressive music.
A.Sarkioja(bass/vocals): I must say it feels good. I had a fear that our style of metal may not be so liked in the US, but I'm glad I was wrong. As well I'm grateful about the label Facedown that has put everything work so smoothly.
UN: Ice Upon the Night has actually been out for quite sometime in Europe. Does the band have any newer material written as of yet? If so, does it differ in anyway from the style of Ice Upon the Night? Any surprises in store?
A.Sarkioja(bass/vocals): Now we are working on our compilation, 14 track treat, with two of them brand new songs. Also there is new material in the works for a new album. There is new things coming, new sound and energy. Two songs on the compilation gives away some of the new tricks.
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