Album Review: In Mourning - The Immortal
Reviewed by Eric Clifford
Swedish progressive and melodic death metal powerhouse In Mourning return for their seventh album “The Immortal” being released on Supreme Chaos Records. In Mourning have been an understated force in melodic death metal since the band’s start in 2000 but have crafted a fantastic sound across their six previous albums mixing the melodic with crushing sounds and anguished atmospheres. Albums such as “The Weight Of Oceans”, “Afterglow” and “The Bleeding Veil” have become personal favourites of mine from the band but “The Immortal” is another album which can easily fall into that list.
If you have heard previous material from In Mourning, then you will find that “The Immortal” doesn’t reinvent the sound and ethos of the band yet fine tunes it. When the band released their debut album “Shrouded Divine” in 2008 they were seen by many as Opeth copycats but the band have strived forward to show that they are a band with their own sound and identity with a greater emphasis on the sounds and moods of melodic death metal and gothic metal permeating the band’s music in their latter albums.
That gloomy atmosphere is ever present on songs such as ‘Song Of The Cranes’ and ‘North Star’ with strong melodies throughout the material both in the guitar playing and the vocals with the dual attack of Björn Pettersson (on harsh vocals) and Tobias Netzell (on clean vocals) working wonders. There are also the ever present progressive moments throughout the album which are understated ensuring that these songs don’t revel in complexity such as the magnificent ‘As Long As The Twilight Stays’ and album closer ‘The Hounding’. First single from the album ‘The Sojourner’ shows the band’s punchier and groovier side whilst ‘Staghorn’ ignites the band’s heavier and more furious side whilst the relaxed and introspective side comes out in ‘Moonless Sky’.
In Mourning are a band that have not taken a step wrong and that run continues on “The Immortal” which is another stunning album from the band. It is a gorgeous mix of ferocity, morose atmosphere and strong melodies all wrapped together with progressive touches. This is a high recommendation for fans of Insomnium, Dark Tranquillity, Disillusion and older Opeth
