Metal Storm logo
Insomnium - Shadows Of The Dying Sun



8.5 | 983 votes |
Release date: 25 April 2014
Style: Melodic death metal

Owners:

748 have it
96 want it


Disc I
01. The Primeval Dark
02. While We Sleep
03. Revelation
04. Black Heart Rebellion
05. Lose To Night
06. Collapsing Words
07. The River
08. Ephemeral
09. The Promethean Song
10. Shadows Of The Dying Sun

Disc II
01. Out To The Sea
02. The Emergence
03. The Swarm
04. The Descent

The Best Melodeath / Extreme Power / Gothenburg Metal Album Of 2014
Top 20 albums of 2014: 2

Additional info
Recorded at Studio Korkeakoski.
Drums recorded at Studio SF Sound by Kimmo Perkkiö.
Other instruments recorded at Studio Korkeakoski by Teemu Aalto.

Mixed at Fascination Street Studios by André Alvinzi.
Mastered at Chartmakers by Svante Forsbäck.

Artwork by Wille Naukkarinen.

Tracks 2-4 on the second disc comes from the band's 2013 EP, Ephemeral.

Staff review by
R'Vannith
Rating:
8.5
With Insomnium no longer having the service of guitarist Ville Vänni and his replacement by Markus Vanhala, the lead guitarist of Omnium Gatherum, Shadows Of The Dying Sun presents the possibility of a merging of the titans, so to speak. However, their sixth full length studio effort is no less Insomnium in style and execution than what preceded it, which means we're granted yet another excellent album from this premier melodic death metal band.

Read more ››
published 23.04.2014 | Comments (42)

Found in 88 lists
Top lists



Comments page 4 / 6

Comments: 158   Visited by: 2250 users
14.05.2014 - 10:33
Rating: 9
Xyanade

Written by Troy Killjoy on 08.05.2014 at 08:00

Written by deadone on 08.05.2014 at 07:57
There won't be repeat listens. There was nothing to draw me back to a second listening.

Fair point. These guys peaked half a decade ago anyway. Everything they've done since 2006 has been derivative of Above the Weeping World.


Above the Weeping World is surely their previous career peek, but the production is not. I wish it get remastered/re-released, even re-arranged some day.
Loading...
14.05.2014 - 18:02
Rating: 7
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by Xyanade on 14.05.2014 at 10:33
Above the Weeping World is surely their previous career peek, but the production is not. I wish it get remastered/re-released, even re-arranged some day.

I don't understand the issue with the production. That album is one of the few of its kind that doesn't try to come across like an over-polished pop record. The modern wave of melodic death metal is typically overproduced if you ask me.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
Loading...
15.05.2014 - 08:05
Rating: 8
AlvarUgo

It has it's memorable moments, and a great atmosphere, but it gives me the feeling that they're doing everything like a recycled formula.
Loading...
15.05.2014 - 13:31
Rating: 8
BloodJuNkie
Of Egypt
I think the staff should remove the "10" rating and put "9.5" instead, that should help!
Loading...
15.05.2014 - 22:00
Fallen Ghost
Craft Beer Geek
Written by Troy Killjoy on 14.05.2014 at 18:02

Written by Xyanade on 14.05.2014 at 10:33
Above the Weeping World is surely their previous career peek, but the production is not. I wish it get remastered/re-released, even re-arranged some day.

I don't understand the issue with the production. That album is one of the few of its kind that doesn't try to come across like an over-polished pop record. The modern wave of melodic death metal is typically overproduced if you ask me.


Agreed. It may not be the album with the best production, but man I love how it sounds! Same with Since The Day It All Came Down, isn't the greatest sound of them all but it sure sets the mood
Loading...
16.05.2014 - 16:02
Rating: 6
Daniell
_爱情_
In a genre that has so little to offer, it's next to impossible to impress the listener with something new. This album does not.
Loading...
17.05.2014 - 08:36
The Paul

Amazing album. They never seem to dissapoint. Guitarist from Omnium Gatherum really seems to add up something.
Loading...
18.05.2014 - 13:21
Rating: 10
IronArkadius666

Welcome to Metalstorm, where the staff hate melodic death metal and those who do like it can't form coherent arguments haha.

Anyways, I think I can safely say that I find this to be as good as Weeping World, I just can't seem to get enough of it.
Loading...
19.05.2014 - 06:11
Rating: 7
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by IronArkadius666 on 18.05.2014 at 13:21
Welcome to Metalstorm, where the staff hate melodic death metal and those who do like it can't form coherent arguments haha.

Pretty much.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
Loading...
19.05.2014 - 11:36
Rating: 8
Stunning Cactus

Written by IronArkadius666 on 18.05.2014 at 13:21

Welcome to Metalstorm, where the staff hate melodic death metal and those who do like it can't form coherent arguments haha.

Anyways, I think I can safely say that I find this to be as good as Weeping World, I just can't seem to get enough of it.


I share the exact same thoughts.
Loading...
19.05.2014 - 13:21
Fallen Ghost
Craft Beer Geek
Pretty amazing that it's still on the top 200 list; I remember when Behemoth - The Satanist came out, it went to the list but it fell out relative quickly, this have been released nearly one month now and it's still there
Loading...
19.05.2014 - 17:01
Rating: 10
Wes

My favorite album by them, pretty awesome.
Loading...
19.05.2014 - 17:16
Rating: 7
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by Fallen Ghost on 19.05.2014 at 13:21
Pretty amazing that it's still on the top 200 list; I remember when Behemoth - The Satanist came out, it went to the list but it fell out relative quickly, this have been released nearly one month now and it's still there

That might have something to do with the fact Behemoth is a death metal band whereas Insomnium is a melodic metal band. This album is more accessible and digestible so it's not really surprising that it's still charting.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
Loading...
19.05.2014 - 17:20
Fallen Ghost
Craft Beer Geek
Written by Troy Killjoy on 19.05.2014 at 17:16

Written by Fallen Ghost on 19.05.2014 at 13:21
Pretty amazing that it's still on the top 200 list; I remember when Behemoth - The Satanist came out, it went to the list but it fell out relative quickly, this have been released nearly one month now and it's still there

That might have something to do with the fact Behemoth is a death metal band whereas Insomnium is a melodic metal band. This album is more accessible and digestible so it's not really surprising that it's still charting.


Yeah that might be, I just didn't think that it would stay for so long
Loading...
20.05.2014 - 02:00
Rating: 10
IronArkadius666

Written by Fallen Ghost on 19.05.2014 at 13:21

Pretty amazing that it's still on the top 200 list; I remember when Behemoth - The Satanist came out, it went to the list but it fell out relative quickly, this have been released nearly one month now and it's still there


I think this album might stay in the top ten for this year, OG's Beyond got a similar treatment last year, even making into the top 200 at one point if I remember correctly, and now it's about 7 or 8th place I think for last year. Of course this is only guessing.
Loading...
27.05.2014 - 02:02
Rating: 8
LeKiwi
High Fist Prog
Written by Fallen Ghost on 19.05.2014 at 17:20

Yeah that might be, I just didn't think that it would stay for so long

Yeah, as much as I love Insomnium, this is ridiculous...
Loading...
27.05.2014 - 13:05
Fallen Ghost
Craft Beer Geek
Written by LeKiwi on 27.05.2014 at 02:02

Written by Fallen Ghost on 19.05.2014 at 17:20

Yeah that might be, I just didn't think that it would stay for so long

Yeah, as much as I love Insomnium, this is ridiculous...


Don't know if I would call it ridiculous.. IMO Shadows Of The Dying Sun is a great improvement from One For Sorrow! Saw them live in the beginning of this month as well, the new songs were great live
Loading...
28.05.2014 - 04:09
Rating: 7
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by deadone on 27.05.2014 at 02:30
(I also think Metal is slowing down in terms of quality releases and interesting stuff - scene seems to be stuck in a rut).

Might be getting a little off-topic but I tend to agree. And for the sake of keeping it on-topic I'll say it's albums like this that make me feel that way. I still listen to metal regularly, but nothing from 2013/2014 has really held my attention (with very few exceptions). It's caused me to branch out more and find other forms of music that interest me more, and thankfully that has helped me uncover some really great artists.

It's bands like Insomnium that have effectively turned me off reviewing and trying out new metal albums on the whole. Not to say I'm judging the entire scene based on a cookie-cutter melodic metal band from Finland, but I'm finding all genres have reached this sort of rut and that kind of bugs me. Everything just feels so "done before".
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
Loading...
01.06.2014 - 17:23
Rating: 9
Dark Forever
Ruído Sonoro
Just out of curiosity, I wanted to see who rated this album with 1. First you have a user named soroush_s8n, registered in 2011, from Iran. But then things get weird. You have another two users, both from Iran, one registered on the 6th of May and the other on the 8th of May, both whose last login was 24 days ago. Now, if I had to place a bet, I'd say that first user created two ghost accounts just to downvote this album and never used them again.
----
Taste the DARK...
... and you'll live FOREVER!
Loading...
01.06.2014 - 19:29
Rating: 7
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Written by Dark Forever on 01.06.2014 at 17:23
Now, if I had to place a bet, I'd say that first user created two ghost accounts just to downvote this album and never used them again.

Your assumption is correct. Votes deleted, accounts banned.
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
Loading...
02.06.2014 - 18:10
Rating: 7
NorthernDickhead

Written by Guest on 07.05.2014 at 18:16

If you watch for the album ratings in their first month, you're going to have a bad time.

Chill out the 8.7 will drop in time with more votes coming in.

Is that some kind of wish? Rating is still 8,7.
Loading...
03.06.2014 - 02:04
Rating: 10
Nihil Aeternum

Written by Dark Forever on 01.06.2014 at 17:23

Just out of curiosity, I wanted to see who rated this album with 1. First you have a user named soroush_s8n, registered in 2011, from Iran. But then things get weird. You have another two users, both from Iran, one registered on the 6th of May and the other on the 8th of May, both whose last login was 24 days ago. Now, if I had to place a bet, I'd say that first user created two ghost accounts just to downvote this album and never used them again.


Yes, there are some clueless guys out there who want to push "their band" to No. 1 of 2014, so everything else is pure shit. Look at the ratings of all of his accounts. But - fortunately - it becomes more meaningless every day as more ratings are coming in
Update: I just have seen that he deleted his votes. By the way, there are many people who have an average voting score of about 2 and I wonder wether they are in the right genre here.
Loading...
03.06.2014 - 02:24
Rating: 7
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Does anyone remember a time when users on this site actually discussed the music and not just the goddamn ratings of an album? Would you rather we just remove the voting system altogether?
----
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
Loading...
09.06.2014 - 14:46
Fallen Ghost
Craft Beer Geek
I haven't listened properly to this yet actually.. Because my CD will never arrive in the mail.. Want to listen to it when I have the physical copy, so I'll just wait..!
Loading...
11.06.2014 - 08:32
Rating: 9
Panzerfrost

This band has got a really unique sound! I really don't know whether it is correct to name this album as the band's best one... But this album is perfect too! It is necessary just to enjoy it!
Wonderful riffs and vocals!
Loading...
16.06.2014 - 11:44
Stoned Crow

I'm for getting rid of the rating system. Fuck em all: 1 to 10; A to F, it's all bullshit.
----
I'm very serious about not being serious.
Loading...
16.06.2014 - 13:32
Ace Frawley
The Spaceman
Written by Stoned Crow on 16.06.2014 at 11:44

I'm for getting rid of the rating system. Fuck em all: 1 to 10; A to F, it's all bullshit.


I like the rating system - it's one of the more appealing aspects of the site, for mine. Just ignore it if you don't like it.
----
The sun shines over The Fool...
Loading...
16.06.2014 - 19:50
Rating: 5
MelancholiaC

While the voting system definitely isn't perfect, it does give some deserving bands more exposure - I personally have discovered quite a few bands solely through the top rated lists on this site, so on the whole I don't have too much complaint.

On the other hand, it does have the side effect of becoming a popularity contest (as I think it has in this case... Insomnium has become way too formulaic to the point that I can barely distinguish one album/song from the next - I got so tired of this album that I had to pause it halfway through the first spin and listen to something else then come back later). But I wouldn't get rid of ratings entirely - maybe we could add 0.5 points? I often feel I really want to rate 8.5/7.5 on an album.

But yeah, constant arguing over "mirror, mirror on the wall - who's got the highest average of them all?" gets very boring and irritating. So Stop it, people.
Loading...
16.06.2014 - 21:52
Rating: 7
Ag Fox
Angel No More
Had it not been the rating system, I wouldn't have been able to expand my musical tastes. Knowing how most people on MS vote, just take it with a grain of salt, especially when there are very little votes. Plus, you can track individual user's votes, which is useful if you know who has similar tastes as you (=

As for the album. I found it decent and quite enjoyable when listening to it, but a bit too easy and ultimately, not memorable. There are other better melodic death albums that I can listen to
----
loves 小巫
Loading...
17.06.2014 - 14:10
Fallen Ghost
Craft Beer Geek
Written by MelancholiaC on 16.06.2014 at 19:50
maybe we could add 0.5 points? I often feel I really want to rate 8.5/7.5 on an album.


That would be a great idea actually!

With my luck, I still have got this CD and haven't listened to it properly yet. Fingers crossed for arriving today..! Of what I have heard from the album, I like how they evolved from One For Sorrow. The production is better, some of the songs are somewhat unexpected, and it's a more experimental feel over it (for an Insomnium album that is)
Loading...

Hits total: 52534 | This month: 73