Album Reviews

Royal Sorrow “Innerdeeps” Album Review by Jorge Pozo

Jorge Pozo

September 25, 2025

The progressive metal landscape has a formidable new contender in the form of Finnish trio Royal Sorrow. Since their emergence with the debut single “Metrograve,” a palpable buzz has surrounded the band, and for good reason. Their sound, a potent concoction of technical prowess, melodic sensibility, and raw, unadulterated power, has set a new high-water mark for what a debut album can be. Now, with the arrival of Innerdeeps, the band has not just met the lofty expectations but has shattered them, delivering a masterpiece of modern progressive metal that is as emotionally resonant as it is technically brilliant. This is a work of profound depth and startling maturity, a journey into the very heart of the human condition, set to a soundtrack of breathtaking complexity and sublime beauty.

From the very first notes of the opening track, “Let Go,” it is clear that Innerdeeps is an album that demands to be experienced as a complete work. The band, consisting of Markus Hentunen on vocals and guitars, Eero Maijala on bass, and Janne Mieskonen on drums, has crafted a seamless and immersive listening experience that flows from one track to the next with the grace and power of a tidal wave. The production is immaculate, allowing every nuance of the intricate arrangements to shine through, from the quietest whispers to the most thunderous roars. This is a sound that is both immense and intimate, a perfect reflection of the album’s central themes of introspection and self-discovery.

The album’s second track, “Metrograve,” is a perfect encapsulation of the Royal Sorrow sound. A dark, atmospheric, and dystopian masterpiece, the song showcases the band’s remarkable technical skill and their ability to create a palpable sense of mood and place. The interplay between Hentunen’s soaring vocals and the intricate, polyrhythmic assault of Maijala and Mieskonen is nothing short of breathtaking. It is a song that is at once menacing and beautiful, a perfect introduction to the world of Innerdeeps and a powerful statement of intent from a band that has clearly arrived fully formed and ready to take its place among the progressive metal elite.

“Samsara” is a cinematic and expansive track that further demonstrates the breadth of Royal Sorrow’s musical vision. The song ebbs and flows with a natural, organic grace, building from moments of quiet contemplation to passages of explosive power. Hentunen’s guitar solo is a particular highlight, a masterclass in melodic phrasing and emotional expression. The low-end rhythm section of Maijala and Mieskonen is a force of nature, driving the song forward with a relentless and hypnotic groove. This is a track that rewards repeated listens, revealing new layers of depth and complexity with each spin.

The album’s fifth single, “Release Your Shadow,” is an absolute triumph, a vocal-driven journey into the heart of self-acceptance. The band themselves have described the song as a “celebration of uniqueness,” and that sentiment is palpable in every note. The ethereal, dreamy choruses are contrasted by immense, hard-hitting riffs, creating a dynamic tension that is both thrilling and emotionally cathartic. Mieskonen’s insane kick drum patterns are a particular highlight, driving the song forward with a relentless and infectious energy. This is a track that is destined to become a fan favorite and a staple of the band’s live shows.

“Evergreen” is a stunning showcase of the band’s maturity as instrumentalists. The intricate arrangements and dynamic shifts in tempo and mood are a marvel to behold. Hentunen’s guitar work is once again a standout, his fingers dancing across the fretboard with a grace and precision that is simply awe-inspiring. But it is the rhythm section of Maijala and Mieskonen that truly shines here, their telepathic interplay providing the solid foundation upon which the rest of the song is built. This is a track that will leave even the most jaded of prog-metal fans speechless.

With “Survival Complex,” Royal Sorrow unleashes its more aggressive side. This is a track tailor-made for the mosh pit, a visceral and cathartic explosion of raw, untamed energy. The riffs are sharp and angular, the vocals are guttural and raw, and the rhythm section is a relentless and punishing assault on the senses. And yet, even in its most brutal moments, there is a sense of melody and structure that elevates the song above mere noise. This is a track that proves that Royal Sorrow can be just as heavy as they are melodic, a band that is not afraid to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche.

“Bloodflower” is a complex and multi-layered track that is as beautiful as it is unsettling. The sinister atmosphere is palpable from the very first notes, and the sense of dread only grows as the song progresses. And yet, there is a strange and hypnotic beauty to the music, a sense of hope and redemption that shines through even in the darkest of moments. Hentunen’s heavenly electric guitar solo is a particular highlight, a moment of pure, unadulterated beauty that will send shivers down your spine. This is a track that will stay with you long after the final notes have faded away.

The lyrical and emotional core of the album can be found in “Looking Glass.” It’s a deep, foreboding, and profoundly moving track that features one of the most memorable climaxes on the entire record. Hentunen’s vocal performance is simply exceptional, conveying a raw and visceral sense of emotion that is both heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting. The lyrical content is deep and philosophical, exploring themes of identity, perception, and the nature of reality. This is a track that will challenge you, move you, and ultimately, change you.

The album’s title track, “Innerdeeps,” is a stunning and fitting conclusion to this epic journey. Precise, emotional, tuneful, and impeccably structured, the song is a perfect encapsulation of everything that makes Royal Sorrow such a special and important band. It is both melodic and powerful, a song that is as beautiful as it is heavy. This is a track that will leave you breathless and wanting more, a perfect ending to a perfect album.

In conclusion, Innerdeeps is a triumph in every sense of the word. It is a well-prepared and tasteful debut album that is heavy and adventurous without being offensive or overwhelming. Royal Sorrow has crafted a work of profound depth and beauty, an album that is destined to become a modern classic of the progressive metal genre. This is a band that is not afraid to take risks, to push the boundaries of what is possible in heavy music. They are a band with a clear and singular vision, and with Innerdeeps, they have announced their arrival in the most emphatic way imaginable.

Final Thoughts:

My personal favorite tracks on the album are “Release Your Shadow,” “Looking Glass,” and the title track, “Innerdeeps.” These three songs, in particular, showcase the band’s incredible range and their ability to seamlessly blend moments of quiet beauty with passages of explosive power. Another interesting observation is the way the band has used the album’s artwork, by Markus Hentunen, to create a cohesive and immersive visual identity for the record. The artwork perfectly complements the music, creating a world that is both beautiful and unsettling, a perfect reflection of the album’s central themes.