Review: “Songs of the Dusk” by Insomnium

“As the album would have been too long, we left these three tracks out on the initial version, yet they are part of the Anno 1696 story and complement it and some of the gaps are being filled. ‘Song Of The Dusk’ offers an alternative ending, so people can decide which kind of mood they prefer. This version is a bit more hopeful and less tragic, at least on a general Insomnium scale – everyone is dead… except the wolves.” ~ Insomnium

“We simply had eleven great songs, and we thought that this material is too good to be ‘just’ bonus tracks. They are part of the big story, so you can think of them as the director’s cut material that tells a little extra. For those who want to have more.” ~ Niilo Sevänen (bass, vocals)

After the release of their ninth album “Anno 1696” in early 2023 led us deep into the dark and troublesome past of Northern Europe, a time of witches, of superstition, of bloodlust and frenzy Insomnium continue the epic story with EP “Songs of the Dusk“. Another twenty two minutes of music, these three tracks continue the bands journey into a dark and foggy past and offer an alternative ending to the original record. A deceiving acoustic introduction passage and spoken word first verse of “Flowers of the Night” makes way for some savage unclean vocals from bassist Niilo Sevänen as the Melodic Death Metal masters play with sonic texture to create something wonderfully epic. A cut with a real melancholic depth, it almost feels harsh that it was cut from “Anno 1696“, such is the quality of the musicianship and song writing so the decision to release an EP is vindicated very early on. Continuing the ascent to the throne of ancient Warrior Kings, “Stained in Red” has a couple of really interesting Folk Metal passages to it interspliced with Melodic Death Metal as it approaches the seven minute mark with a dark and sinister edge. The melodies are rich and warm while the vocals are as savage as the cold winds of a winter storm as Insomnium flex their muscles to deliver something truly powerful. Concluding with a near ten minute magnum opus that stirs the senses in title track “Song of the Dusk“, there can be no doubt that with twenty six years of experience under their collective bullet belts, this band are at their most accomplished and in their element here. A clean sung passage in the centre feels like shafts of light bursting through dark clouds after a storm that screams out for a grand auditorium like the Royal Albert Hall to be performed in to match its sheer stature. This extension of the wonder that is “Anno 1696” isn’t simply a filler record but something that is deserving of attention in its own right, a soaring and powerful beast of majestic quality [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Flowers of the Night
2. Stained in Red
3. Song of the Dusk

“Songs of the Dusk” by Insomnium is out 3rd November 2023 via Century Media