Band:	Saturnus
Album:	The Storm Within
Style:	Gothic doom metal
Release date:	June 16, 2023
A review by:	omne metallum

01. The Storm Within
02. Chasing Ghosts
03. The Calling
04. Even Tide
05. Closing The Circle
06. Breathe New Life
07. Truth

Good things come to those who wait: for fans of Saturnus this should hopefully be the case, as it has been eleven long years since the band put out a new album; either Axl Rose was in charge of scheduling, or the band have been writing some absolute classics. 

While that opening line is a phrase that is thrown around with abandon, it is one that fits Saturnus well, as they are one of the few acts that merit the description of producing experiences, not merely music. The band are able to evoke emotional responses from anyone who listens to them, building a connection with the music that is more than just listening. The Storm Within is able to conjure up such responses throughout its running time, leaving listeners to put down the devil horns and curl up in the foetal position once more. 

Still, labours of love usually take time, and it's clear The Storm Within was one of high emotion, with each note crafted into its own space. From the piono-led opening of the title track, to the closing "Truth", no energy is wasted and every bit of space is well utilized for a reason. Saturnus may look different now, having three new members join since they last produced an album, but they retain the same sound as before. 

The tortured, morose anguish of the title track lulls you in with its haunting piano refrains, before the whole band join in and take the simple piano melody and turn it into a sprawling, gothic journey through sound. "Even Tide" is a gentle, yet no less impactful, track that starts with some simple yet soft keys before Jensen narrates the start of the tale the band are going to regale unto the listener, following which the song's main hook in the vocal harmonies take center stage. 

"Chasing Ghosts" and "Closing The Circle" are as sombre and melancholic as they come, wistful in their opening passages before growing into songs that will bludgeon you with raw doom riffs while continuing to hit your heartstrings like a drunk festival attendee nailing in their tent. Indeed, the guitar duet on the latter track highlights how new members Rehal-Saghoo and Fernández fit into the band like a hand in a velvet glove, balancing the power and melody with ease. 

Flemming Rasmussen returns once more to collaborate within the band behind the producer's chair, ably capturing the sentiment of the music and presenting them in a way that captures the moment and amplifies it perfectly. The Storm Within is likely to be one of the best-sounding albums of the year, if not the best outright.

Where perhaps Saturnus and, to a similar extent, the whole gothic doom genre as a whole struggle, is producing an album that can be picked apart as single tracks that can be listened to casually. It is easy to overlook some of the more subtle parts on a track like "Truth", leaving the listener missing some key parts that weave together the sonic tapestry the band create. This does somewhat limit the opportunities listeners can have to fully enjoy The Storm Within, though it does make it that much more impactful when you are able to give it the time and attention it needs to breathe. 

Enough of me fawning over it, however, and time for you to go listen to it.