There aren’t many albums out there that are named after the genre developed by a certain band – I know only of VENOM’s “Black Metal” (1982), HIM’s “Love Metal” (2004), and PERIPHERY’s “Periphery V: Djent is not a Genre” (2023). Yet Swedish/Finnish supergroup CEMETERY SKYLINE have decided to name their debut album “Nordic Gothic” and these two words perfectly encapsulate the essence of what the band are going to present to the audience once this atmospheric album gets released on October 11th, 2024, via Century Media.
With a lineup consisting of Mikael Stanne (DARK TRANQUILLITY, THE HALO EFFECT) on vocals, Markus Vanhala (INSOMNIUM, OMNIUM GATHERUM) on guitar, Santeri Kallio (AMORPHIS) on keyboards, Victor Brandt (DIMMU BORGIR, WITCHERY) on bass, and Vesa Ranta (SENTENCED, THE ABBEY) on drums, it is clear that the metal pedigree is of the highest caliber, as is their songwriting expertise. Given the bands that these musicians are (or have been) a part of, one would probably expect a much heavier album from them than what “Nordic Gothic” provides. However, the main idea of this project was to do something different than what each has been doing on the metal scene, and the end result is this moody, melodic, and melancholy album, which sees Mikael Stanne singing in a beautiful, clean tone throughout these ten dark rock tracks.
Unsurprisingly, the band caught everybody’s attention this spring when they released their first single, “Violent Storm,” as a harbinger of what they had been working on in secret. The song’s melancholy atmosphere is only enhanced by its oddly soothing vibe and Stanne’s ominous delivery with the guitars and drums adding some weight to the music while the keys envelop everything in an ’80s soundscape. The melodic line of the song is simple but effective and this is true for most of the songs on this album, so don’t expect anything too complex or layered as “Nordic Gothic” is the type of album that thrives on its simplicity. A great example in this sense is second single, “In Darkness,” whose mellow ambiance allows for an emotional delivery with the instrumental acting more as support for the vocals rather than adding to the melody, as in most cases. However, those guitar chugs and steady percussions keep the momentum going as the solo injects some energy into the fold.
Things change a bit with third single, “The Coldest Heart,” whose bass intro and jazzy vocal delivery in the verses make it stand out from the rest. The sparkling piano riff that pops up here and there balances out the cold and distant ambiance of the music while the up-tempo chorus gives it a bit more momentum. Next singles, “Torn Away” and “Behind the Lie,” have a much fuller soundscape with more melody and heft coming from the instrumentals with the keys acting as embellishment of a well-defined sound. On the same note, “The Darkest Night” is another heavier cut with impressive guitar work, pounding drums, and a bright piano part that lightens up the mood. The vocals on all three tracks are still front and center, delivering wave after wave of emotions because of Mikael Stanne’s captivating performances. For someone who is more comfortable doing harsh vocals, his cleans are very nuanced and well-spotlighted on this record.
Speaking about emotional deliveries, ballad “When Silence Speaks” starts off on tender piano notes and soft cello that build up in atmosphere and intensity with the vocals taking the lead. The piano gradually makes way for the guitar to take over as the chorus hits. There’s also a wonderful cello section that only enhances the melancholy ambiance of the song. This song is 5 minutes of pure Gothic delight. The up-tempo “Never Look Back” has some catchy vocal melodies in the chorus while the interplay between the guitar leads, Victor Brandt’s rumbling bass, and backing keys keeps the song moving at a steady pace. Markus Vanhala really shines on this track with his intricate guitar work. “Anomalie” is a jaunty little track with a sing-along –type chorus, some chiming keys, steady drums, and solid guitar work to boost up the mood. Beautiful and delicate “Alone Together” feels like a lullaby as it has that gentle sway to the music and a wonderfully soothing ambiance coming from the keys and bass that make it a perfect closing track, while the lyrics wrap up the album’s overarching theme of solitude echoing the idea that nobody wants to feel alone in this life. Needless to say, it drips with emotion.
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it as many times as it takes but wondrous things can happen when seasoned musicians mix things up and try their hand at something different, and such an alluring yet somber album like “Nordic Gothic” is a strong testament to this statement. The Swedish/Finnish quintet have painted their musical canvas with brilliant shades of grey and the end-result is an album that delivers spectacularly on the promise of hazy, atmospheric, and moody music. The bottom line is that “Nordic Gothic” is a refreshing listen that offers an updated take on both Gothic metal and Scandinavian melancholy.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
1. Torn Away
2. In Darkness
3. Violent Storm
4. Behind the Lie
5. When Silence Speaks
6. The Darkest Night
7. Never Look Back
8. The Coldest Heart
9. Anomalie
10. Alone Together
Lineup
Mikael Stanne – vocals
Markus Vanhala – guitar
Santeri Kallio – keyboards
Victor Brandt – bass
Vesa Ranta – drums
Label
Century Media
