Pelata
There’s no real way to lead into it, so I’ll just jump right in. In Grief sounds like a blend of Daylight Dies and Evergrey. It combines some of the darker Prog Metal of Evergrey (the soundscape/sci-fi keys, the fluid-like guitar shredding) with some of the slower, more dramatic dirges of Daylight Dies (complete with the combo growl/clean vocals). Now, depending on your view of these two bands, you’ll either be interested or turned off (the one-sheet predictably names Opeth as well, but that doesn’t really apply)…but suffice it to say I think it’s a cool combo. Sorry to put that up so early on, but it’s really the best way to sum it up.
The instrumentation, arrangements, performances & production are all very good. Everything sounds tight and clean and is fairly impressive to listen to. No one part is in and of itself anything really new, but when the parts interchange and swirl together, I think they come up with something interesting. The vocals, as stated, switch between a deep rooted Death growl and a more subdued clean, non-operatic tone ala Opeth’s Michael Akerfeldt. There are plenty of strong, head-thrashing moments as well as some nice atmosphere added in the form of slower tempos, keyboard layers and guitar counter melodies. “In The End” is a pretty good example of all of the band’s elements coming together in a single song. The obligatory intro track leads into “I Am” which, in all honesty, could have done without the nearly three-minute introduction. “I Am”, however, really sets up the album and lets the listener know in no uncertain terms what they’re in for. The refrain on the title track is very Katatonia-like in its monotone, depressive delivery.
So, what we have is 6 songs (plus an intro) of strong Metal music. I hear both a currently impressive band as well as lots of room for future expansion. It’s an enjoyable listen for anyone into the Scandinavian Death/Prog/moody vibe with enough of its own personality not to blend in too much. Give it a shot.