Insomnium - Winter's Gate

This is pretty good, especially the last 15 minutes which are absolutely amazing. The first 25 minutes are quite good too, I just totally dislike the 2 parts with unnecessary clean vocals. Still, Insomnium still proving the be the only worthwhile melodeath band along with belakor.

It's a good album indeed, but it's far from what this site is making it to be. At times it becomes repetitive (Part 5-6 for example) which made some segments of the record almost boring. While it is melodic, after two listens I still can't find any song (or any part of a song) stuck in my head like melodic songs should do. There are some beautiful harmonies, but not enough to make it something to remember. I hope this is a first step in a slightly new direction and the next effort will be way more addictive.

Written by Risto on 27.09.2016 at 16:41

Written by Fallen Ghost on 27.09.2016 at 15:04

I doubt it will be up in the alley of Since The Day It All Came Down and Above THe Weeping World, but I'm sure it will be an interesting listen

Good to keep your expectations relatively low, huh? This hardly has anything negative in it and I'm tempted to increase my rating.

I bought the standard edition today, and it's nice that the actual 18 page short story comes also with that. Even if the print is a bit small.

Yes sir! I always TRY to keep the expectations down hah! Glad to hear that it is good, I am really looking forward to listen to it!

And very cool they actually have the story in the standard edition! But I really want that artbook as Insomnium is one of my favorite bands, so I feel I need somethink special from them..

Written by Zap on 26.09.2016 at 18:25

Written by [user id=160508] on 26.09.2016 at 12:53

I recall it always being this high for Insomnium's albums. Until they hit the top 200 and start sinking further and further down.

And that's what will happen with this album too!

Wow, enters the top 200 at position #18. Let's see how long that lasts.

Written by Ace Frawley on 29.09.2016 at 01:57

Wow, enters the top 200 at position #18. Let's see how long that lasts.

In merely 6 days, it's in top 20. I think it will last for a while as it's now growing more in a fans.

I think this will end up in the top 200. Can't say it doesn't deserve the spot. Out of the top 200 albums on this site, around 150 don't even come in my top 500, this one does.

So yeah, nothing extraordinary if this stays in the top 200.

Great "song" but i don't think deserve to be in top 200 !!!!!!!

The rating on MS is the most important thing in your life...trust me, without a proper rating of your favorite album, your life will be ruined and pointless now, let me spin again one of my favorite albums of all time - Autopsy - Shitfun.....

Written by [user id=111071] on 30.09.2016 at 01:20

now, let me spin again one of my favorite albums of all time - Autopsy - Shitfun.....

I don't know how you hooked up with such a crappy record 'cause I can you give 3 albums which will overthrow "Shitfun" from all the grounds.

Severed Survival, Mental Funeral and Macabre Eternal.

This is where Autopsy was its best.

/offtopic

I stopped bothering with this band 2-3 years ago after checking most of their albums and finding them bland and kinda repetitive... Not my style? Perhaps... Now i see they've created a 40' concept one song-album, with the help of the guy who brought this in the sphere of melodic death metal... First thought: pure bastards, stealing an idea and doing something for the hype, to "differ"... BUT what if? The high rating makes me rethink about it..

Written by Cynic Metalhead on 30.09.2016 at 08:58

I don't know how you hooked up with such a crappy record 'cause I can you give 3 albums which will overthrow "Shitfun" from all the grounds.

Severed Survival, Mental Funeral and Macabre Eternal.

This is where Autopsy was its best.

/offtopic

Neither do I, but like it a lot...it's sick, twisted, bizzare, perverse, brutal, and unique....
Never heard anything that insane before...
Only Mental Funeral can beat this one imo!
Anyway, my point is that ratings are pointless and you should never base your judgment upon them....

Ever since 2006 I have been expecting them to make some epic track that last more than 10 mins, till I got this one
now the problem is will they ever make this a live version xD

Written by Xyanade on 30.09.2016 at 20:00

now the problem is will they ever make this a live version xD

They will play the whole thing at least at the upcoming Finnish shows, and probably the European tour as well.

A progressive death metal album consisting of a single 40 minute song just went #1 in Finnish charts. I love my country sometimes.

>inb4 Now it is at x place in the top 200. It will probably end up at the bottom 50 by the year end.

Written by 3rdWorld on 03.10.2016 at 19:50

>inb4 Now it is at x place in the top 200. It will probably end up at the bottom 50 by the year end.

We will see.

Meh. I meant the bottom 50 of the top 200 list which is very highly likely. So don't hold your breaths.

Hell yes! I'm so glad they pulled this off! Sometimes it reminds me of the good old days, and sometimes it takes a totally new direction! And that ending... I'm very happy with this, much better than their last one imo

I've just read the story written by Niilo, and after I listened to the album again while following the lyrics. I can say it is extremely rewarding! The lyrics makes sense now, and the mood in the album reflects the story perfectly. It is so well done that I couldn't resist to put other rating than a perfect 10 on it! I never thought it would be THIS good, but (I think) it is up in the league as Above The Weeping World.. Yes now I said it.

Used to be really into this band but after the third album I just got tired of their sound, stuff was nowhere near as good as the first two releases. Every time they released something new I'd take a few spins to see if that was the album that made me like Insomnium again. All of them failed to do what Winter's Gate did and that was recapture my imagination. This was a musical journey, painted such a beautiful landscape. Not sure about the #1 spot but I'd say it's a top10 contender in my personal top

More of the same... Still fails to live up to their original 3 releases but melodeath fans just gobble up any half decent release I guess.

Written by 3rdWorld on 04.10.2016 at 19:59

Meh. I meant the bottom 50 of the top 200 list which is very highly likely. So don't hold your breaths.

It won't even be one of the top 200 after some time! .. Pretty average album their previous release was better and it's not one of the top 200!

Written by BloodJuNkie on 13.10.2016 at 17:54

It won't even be one of the top 200 after some time!

It probably will, since vote abuse will be dealt with these days.

Written by Risto on 13.10.2016 at 18:00

Written by BloodJuNkie on 13.10.2016 at 17:54

It won't even be one of the top 200 after some time!

It probably will, since vote abuse will be dealt with these days.

Hence lowering the score of this album.

Written by Risto on 13.10.2016 at 18:00

Written by BloodJuNkie on 13.10.2016 at 17:54

It won't even be one of the top 200 after some time!

It probably will, since vote abuse will be dealt with these days.

Really? Well that's a good news! And talking about vote abuse putting this album in the top 200 should be considered vote abuse lol

Written by AngelofDeth on 11.10.2016 at 01:23

More of the same... Still fails to live up to their original 3 releases but melodeath fans just gobble up any half decent release I guess.

More of the same? Oh well, I don't know if we listened to the same record, but this one of the most diverse record they've done In years! But I understand everybody can't enjoy the same records Given the story the vocalist have written, and how well the music fits to it, it's an absolute masterpiece (imo)

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 13.10.2016 at 18:04

Written by Risto on 13.10.2016 at 18:00

It probably will, since vote abuse will be dealt with these days.

Hence lowering the score of this album.

This album has a strong current base of high ratings that can't be considered vote abuse. They may come around but I can't see this one collapsing too much.

Written by [user id=142921] on 14.10.2016 at 10:58

Honestly blows my mind when people call this diverse.

On Insomnium's own merits it is. Fallen Ghost never made any universal claims.

Here we go!

I actually don't like this album that much. It's definitely good but I liked the previous one waaay more.