Review: “Raven And The Nightsky” by Dark The Suns

Having been in hibernation for seven long years, the revival and resurrection of Finnish melodic metal band Dark The Suns as a writing partnership between original members Mikko Ojala (vocals, guitars, drums) and Inka Ojala (bass, keyboards) with the majestic “Suru Raivosi Sydämeni Pimeydessä” (or  “Grief Your Fury My Heart In The Darkness”), an album of beautiful piano melodies and dark vocals was nothing short of stunning. Two years on the duo are joined by Jani Moilanen (guitar, clean vocals) from Kaamos Warriors for a fifth studio album titled “Raven And The Nightsky”, recorded with sound engineer Teemu Liekkala (Joviac, Everlore, Raskasta Iskelmää). A slow burning waterfall release of no less than five singles or half the album started back in March 2022 for this one with “Kun Aallot Kallioihin Murtuu” (or “When the Waves Break on the Rocks“) before the album even had a name…

Mikko Ojala’s demonic vocals give opening cut “Adamantine” a wonderful contrast of dark and light with Inka Ojala’s delicate piano melodies replacing what could be lead guitars in a Melodic Death Metal setting, the melodic bridge into the final third a truly majestic moment on a track that has a timeless quality to it. It could have been released at any point in the near 20 year career of Dark The Suns and not feel out of place. There is a satisfying crunch in the guitar work and with those keys eerily reminiscent of the work of Anabelle Iratni on the recent Demonstealer record of Lindsay Schoolcraft in her time with Cradle Of Filth, there is a dark beauty here that burns to be set free. Almost ethereal backing vocals and whispers add another vocal layer to the incredible “Phoenix“, a cut which sounds nothing short of epic while the repetition of the melodic break before the final third gives it sense of belonging to the record. Liekkala has done really well with the mix, giving everything a good balance and not over indulging the keys at the cost of the guitars or percussion. Set in what sounds like an apocalyptic wasteland, the haunting introduction of “Kun Aallot Kallioihin Murtuu” (or “When the Waves Break on the Rocks“) gives it an eerie quality as it builds to its ultimate form through percussion and harsh low growled vocals. The gravelly tones of Mikko Ojala have never been anything short of beastly but here they sound like those of an aging warrior who has joined the battle and discarded his shield, no longer afraid to die. Surrounded by a melancholic dull ache, there is a middle distance gazing quality to this one that works incredibly well in the context.

Continuing to paint in textured patterns of incredible depth, the warmth of “Aurora” will keep you warm on a cold winters night. Perpetual forward motion is ensured by a powerful rhythm section, the huge drum sound and driving bass not allowing too much meandering off into deeper melancholic soundscapes. Whispered moments once again serve to enhance the atmosphere, the icy keys adding a spellbinding quality to everything they touch. Paavo Laapotti of Before The Dawn and Defiled Serenity gives the gift of clean vocals to “Raven“, an equal and opposing force to unclean viciousness of Mikko Ojala, giving the cut a Gothic tinge. Broken riffage gives the opportunity for the keys to bleed through the bandages while giving the track a few unexpected head bangable moments that are gratefully received. That doesn’t stop this one from being as elegant as anything else the band have created here either as their desire to create something a little different pays off handsomely. A false ending in the middle of “Shadows Upon the Broken Hearts” is incredibly well worked as an atmospheric piece accompanied by orchestrations builds gently into something almost ethereal over four and a half minutes of majestic beauty. On paper this one probably shouldn’t work but the reality is an enthralling and captivating moment in an album created by masters of creating such pieces. Moilanen adds clean vocals and a certain sing-a-long ability to “Swans of the Frozen Waters” which has hints at Black Metal influences with some of the powerhouse percussion while never losing that haunting melancholic atmospheric that is so distinctive about the Dark The Suns sound. Once again finding the band prepared to take a risk but not pushing their boundaries too far, this one is equally as impressive as the last.

The nuances maybe subtle but they become more prevalent with each repeated listen, making the album as a whole the gift that simply keeps giving. Finding a new level of fiery fierce intensity “The Sea of Sorrow” becomes arguably Mikko Ojala’s most savage vocal performance of the album and while the music doesn’t deviate from the bands tried and trusted formula, that makes this one worth the admission fee alone. Somehow his gravelly lows reach hitherto unheard bowel clenching levels without destroying the integrity of the music, which it has to be said is an impressive feat. Returning to the whispered moments “Under the Northern Lights” has an air of the symphonic about it with an intricate Folk Metal inspired moment in the final third adding a completely new texture to the bands sound. The crushed velvet curtain is brought down on the album with “In Mist of the Night“, a tune with a theatrical quality to it that is utterly spellbinding. Still bitter and black with those underworldly unclean vocals, the music that accompanies them paints the perfect picture. A breath taking album from a band who specialise in them, this could well be their crowning glory. [8/10]

Track Listing

1. Adamantine
2. Phoenix
3. Kun Aallot Kallioihin Murtuu
4. Aurora
5. Raven (ft. Paavo Laapotti of Before The Dawn and Defiled Serenity)
6. Shadows Upon the Broken Hearts
7. Swans of the Frozen Waters
8. The Sea of Sorrow
9. Under the Northern Lights
10. In Mist of the Night

“Raven And The Nightsky” by Dark The Suns is out 29th September 2023 via Inverse Records with pre-orders available over at bandcamp.