Finnish melodic death metal act HORIZON IGNITED have slowly but steadily, through the four singles released so far, built anticipation and momentum for their upcoming third album, which bears the title “Tides.” The new studio offering will be released on February 21st, 2025, via Reaper Entertainment and marks a new chapter in the band’s sonic journey to refine their music and cement their status on the metal scene.
As already showcased by the variety of the singles, the album boasts an expansive and dynamic sound design that showcases a band willing to push the boundaries and, thus, broaden their musical spectrum. The first single released, and the opening track, “Beneath the Dark Waters,” is a dark and sorrowful piece that combines a rather melodic guitar riff with a gloomier ambiance as vocalist Okko Solanterä uses screamed vocals, gutturals, and some melodic cleans to guide the listeners through this haunting soundscape. The lower tuning also gives the song more heft and heaviness that pair well with the vocals while the Finnish-sung bridge enhances the song’s melancholy vibe. They followed this one up with the angry and rage-inducing “Welcome to This House of Hate,” whose crushing riff, groovy rhythm, and hooky chorus make it an excellent live anthem that will definitely open up the mosh pit and/or get people headbanging.
The third single, “Prison of my Mind” fuses together weighty riffs with soaring melodies (especially around the chorus) and emotional lyrics which detail the struggles that people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease go through (the line “Remember me” gets me every time). The latest single, “Ashes,” is a collaborative effort with Jaakko Mäntymaa (MARIANAS REST) and is a potent mix of melody, aggression, and intensity. It’s a slow and extra heavy affair which makes it feel more in line with doom metal, while the vocal layering adds unexpected texture to the music as the two vocal styles merge well with each other. Elsewhere on the record, “Baptism of Fire” almost feels like an unholy union of power metal and death metal as the riffs are speedy and the melodies are soaring which, in turn, makes this track ideal for a short but intense headbanging session.
The album’s broad sound design comes more into focus on its second half spearheaded by the centerpiece “My Grave Shall Be the Sea (Leviathan pt. II),” which is a melancholy and dramatic track that features swelling strings and melodic cleans that elevate the song while the guitars and screamed vocals keep it grounded. Melodic tracks like “Fraction of Eternity” and “Aurora’s Dance” move away from the harsh soundscapes of the first couple of tracks and closer to melodeath as clean-sung passages are more and more present, interwoven nicely between the hefty guitar riffs and growls. On the title track, “Tides,” Okko Solanterä showcases his clean range delighting the listeners with some soft vocals that unavoidably give way to his signature harsh vox while the guitar solo injects melody to the fold. However, it is the closing track, “Fragments,” that benefits mostly from his cleans as the chorus soars to incredible heights, underpinned by strings and chugging guitar riffs, and is – as per usual – juxtaposed by heavier verses. The use of strings and some whispers in this track adds more nuance and weight to the lyrics and overall makes for a more compelling listening experience, as it’s not every day that (melodic) death metal uses symphonic arrangements to enhance the lyrical narrative.
All-in-all, on “Tides” HORIZON IGNITED confidently thread some uncharted territory but manage to deliver on all accounts. This means that the ten songs bear not just the band’s trademark sound but also incorporate new and exciting elements that proportionally widen the album’s musical horizon. Especially impressive here is Okko Solanterä whose diverse vocal approach carries most of the weight of the album while also making sure to serve the songs and the stories they tell. The rest of the band follow suit and deliver incredibly tight performances across the board. All these aspects make “Tides” a dark and atmospheric journey through the spheres of melodic death metal.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
1. Beneath the Dark Waters
2. Ashes (feat. Jaakko Mäntymaa)
3. Baptism by Fire
4. Welcome to This House of Hate
5. My Grave Shall Be the Sea (Leviathan pt. II)
6. Prison of My Mind
7. Fraction of Eternity
8. Aurora’s Dance
9. Tides
10. Fragments
Lineup
Okko Solanterä – Vocals
Johannes Mäkinen – Gitarre
Vili Vottonen – Gitarre
Miska Ek– Keyboards
Jiri Vanhatalo – Drums
Jukka Haarala – Bass
Label
Reaper Entertainment
