Cemetery Skyline’s inaugural album, Nordic Gothic, is a compelling, atmospheric venture that transcends its members’ extreme metal roots to explore a darker, haunting musical landscape. Released after years of anticipation and single drop teasers, this project seems to have been meticulously assembled, aiming to craft something distinctly unique from the outset. The album is a rather unexpected yet welcome digression from the band’s customary melodic death metal forte, making it a bold new chapter in their musical journey.
The opening track “Torn Away” sets the tone for what’s to come: a blend of goth rock and melancholy soundscapes, imbued with 80s and 90s influences. Here, Mikael Stanne’s vocals shine through with a powerful clarity that distances itself from his usual guttural growls. His baritone weaves effortlessly through the dark riffs and symphonic keys, evoking nostalgia while retaining a fresh, modern touch.
Following the opener, songs like “In Darkness” and “Violent Storm” embody a striking blend of propulsive energy and hefty emotional depth. Markus Vanhala and Santeri Kallio’s interplay of guitar and keyboards creates a lush melodic framework that complements Victor Brandt’s basslines and Vesa Ranta’s rhythmic foundation. Their collaborative strength scales new heights here, producing some of the most distinctive tracks on the album.
While the start of the album delivers hook-laden tracks with anthemic prowess, the latter half shifts towards an introspective narrative, with tracks like “When Silence Speaks” and “The Coldest Heart”. These numbers dive deeper into the gothic ambience while maintaining a cinematic feel that resonates with the album’s overarching themes of isolation and melancholy. Such tracks offer reflective moments where the instrumental layers unveil nuanced emotional undertones.
A standout track, “Never Look Back,” encapsulates the album’s essence with its evolving layers and haunting atmosphere, leading to a crescendo that is both moody and uplifting. It’s a testament to the band’s ability to balance the dark with the accessible, marrying catchy songwriting with depth and texture.
“Anomalie,” the penultimate track, reintroduces a dynamic momentum, pushing the sonic boundaries yet grounding the listener in familiar, euphoric rhythms. “Alone Together,” as the album’s closer, encapsulates the sense of communal solitude that the album portrays—an intimate finale that feels both conclusive and open-ended. The track’s lengthy progression allows the band to experiment, shifting through tempos and themes, leaving a lasting impression as the final notes fade.
With Nordic Gothic, Cemetery Skyline successfully bridges the gap between evocative gothic rock and the vigorous pulse of melodic metal. The band boldly shifts from what listeners might expect, delivering an album that’s compellingly refreshing and authentically theirs.
In conclusion, the album shines with its haunting melodies, articulate performances, and atmospheric soundscapes. Tracks like “In Darkness,” “Alone Together,” and “Never Look Back” exemplify the debut’s standout qualities. Such artistry and craftsmanship promise a promising continuation of this creative alliance. Therefore, I rate this album 8/10.
In deriving this rating, I engaged with the album’s intricacies, noting its creative leap from the members’ prior work, the seamless integration of gothic elements, and the balance between nostalgia and innovation. The consistency in quality, combined with standout moments of emotional depth and musical flourish, solidifies this album as a robust and captivating debut.
Cemetery Skyline line-up:
Vocals: Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity, The Halo Effect)
Guitars: Markus Vanhala (Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum, I Am The Night)
Keyboards: Santeri Kallio (Amorphis)
Bass: Victor Brandt (Dimmu Borgir, Witchery, ex-Entombed/Entombed A.D., ex-Firespawn and many more)
Drums: Vesa Ranta (Sentenced, The Abbey)
Cemetery Skyline will play their live premier at John Smith Rock Festival in Laukaa, Finland August 18-20, 2024. Follow them on their socials to keep updated on how the story unfolds.
Cemetery Skyline online:
https://www.facebook.com/cemeteryskylineofficial
