Album Review // 2024-05-12

In Vain

Solemn

Released: 2024-04-19

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As I often do for albums I review, I went into this only having heard a few songs. This artwork drew me in. The variance in the songs I had heard, left me wanting to take in a full album. It was obvious going into this, that this is a band that is open-minded. A metal band from Norway, it felt like there had to be some girth behind it.

I found it pretty interesting to find out, the band was birthed from a school project at music school. After making a song, Johnar decided to continue with it.  Andreas wrote the lyrics and Johnar did the vocals. This was Johnar's first experience making metal music.

The name of the band, In Vain, makes sense with the style of the band. The idea of something being done to no end, rings through.

The title Solemn, to me, implies a serious and emotional situation. It can also mean a ceremony that is performed. I don't get a hugely solemn vibe from this album, but the band had to of.

So, here it is, my thoughts about Solemn, by In Vain.

Artwork

I really like this artwork! The use of very little colour, and having to rely on contrast a lot is my kind of thing. It illustrates a king, who fits the serious, downtrodden existence, that the name of the album signals. There always seems to be a predatory bird in artwork in these situations. It kind of makes me think of people known as "bird lady, or" bird man", often depicted as homeless and taking solace with animals because everyone else has abandoned them. Or maybe on the more fantasy side of things, a king of the birds who commands the birds. Either way, it is a cool picture.

Mood

The mood for me is a little confused. It reminds me of a video game where you are going along as a jet dodging all the debris and hostile aircrafts. Then on an occasion the sky looks clear, the atmosphere becomes serene and you relax. It gave me a bit of a jolt or even a chuckle at times, in response to the unexpectedness. It feels very deceptive, as it sounds rather upbeat at times, but when you read lyrics they are literally about deception, and not being able to trust. The two ideas don't jive. 

After listening more, I started to feel like I was listening to a soundtrack for a movie. It encompassed different feelings, some I wanted to move through quickly or even skip, and others I liked to stay in.

Vocals

My My, there are a lot of different things going on, on this album with vocals! So many people putting their piece in. And some I really understand, and some I really don't. 

That main deep, monotone vocal, doesn't make sense to me. The annunciation, and tone of it, doesn't feel right here.

 Even worse was the few songs, such as Beyond the Pale, that had quick-paced parts where the vocals were high and screechy, and came in like they were in the wrong song, wrong band. I really liked the song until that point. Then it turned me right off.

Surprisingly, I really enjoyed the clean vocals. I feel like they carried a lot of the songs, and made them feel memorable, showed some great talent, and made me want to sing along. I feel I would get sick of it, in high volumes.

There was also a more screechy bmish (that wordy doesn't seem right lol) vocal I did quite like. I thought it worked in contrast to this clean one. 

I wanted to like the growl when I realized this vocalist does the clean vocals as well. I am impressed that he can do both.

Music

Again, wow this music does go many places. Dynamic movements kept me interested. Atmospheric, yet catchy at times. But it did get a little weird such as 3/4 of the way through Shadows Flap Their Black Wings. It felt like I was listening to the intro for a sitcom or light crime show, especially the moments when the horn kicked in. If I want to praise something here, it is the unpredictability, and variety. I hated the intensity of the horn solos used on this album. Just too much for me. Yes, I know it is talented, but still not something I look for. The guitar solos, and riff were interesting, and placed nicely. They were a standout for me. I like how this music knows how to step back and slow things down, but also picks up the pace, even if it is unsettling at times. Lots of melodic death hints, post-black metal, and progressive metal parts. This is very mixed.

Lyrics

I can't help but mention that some of the lyrics were quite cheezy to me such as in Season of Unrest, where the words were saying one thing, and the way the vocal carried things, it said another. 

Shadows Flap Their Black Wings

I believe this is about our own thoughts and how they can cloud and hinder or they can help. I like how it ends on a positive note reclaiming your life.

Reason is clouding
Ambitions are burning
When the world has taken its toll

Rise from the ashes
Reclaim your life
Search for tranquility
Be one with your soul and mind

To the Gallows

It feels like a world that can't be trusted and leads to a sentence or punishment. This song sounds so happy at times, so peculiar.

Lies and deception rule the nations
Forcing the world towards damnation
The sovereigns lead the masses astray
Enforcing the age of moral decay

Tired of living, scared of dying
The scorn in us is horrifying
Accept the sentence
Or roam in the shadows
No repentance
(Step up) to the gallows!

Season of Unrest

This makes me think of stretches of time when we struggle through something. We never truly rest, never truly get it all out, feel stuck, and lack direction. So happy sounding.

Desolation and despair
The night is drawing closer
The walls are caving in
Sinking into the unknown
Panic spreads, asphyxiating
Here's the season of unrest
Has my time come?

Tears won't arise
Oppress my weary eyes

At the Going Down of the Sun

I am not sure what this means, but it seems optimistic that things will go on.

At the going down of the sun
Until the end
When days are gone
When the sun no longer sets
When we're closing in
The burning flame will guide us
Through centuries

Ethereal light guides us
Time is now
Our passion burns stronger
Our spirits remain free

Where the Winds Meet

A windy day certainly feels emotional. It is weird how being in nature and experiencing how powerful or gentle can be is freeing. Has radio-like moments in this one.

Hear the cries of the wind
Someone is searching
For a new direction|
For a new meaning
Like a leaf soaring through the air
With blissful intention
On a peaceful voyage
To a place where the winds meet again

Beyond the Pale

I was thinking about the saying "The good finish last". The idea that it is so wrong sometimes that the "bad guy, gets the reward and the "good guy" suffers. I like to think it doesn't stay that way. 

Where fear assails
Reason is swept away
Mans mournful wail
On the thoughtless path to decay
When such thoughts gain ground
The vile set out to betray
Until the villain is crowned
Beyond the pale

Blood Makes the Grass Grow

I like the victory in this. That there is hardship, but you can get back up on your feet.

Dismay, despair, chaos
Terror, anguish, hurt
I see nothing but death now
But blood makes the grass grow

Will we be contagious?
Will we be rampageous?
Time to be courageous
So let's ascend and assemble
And take back what's ours
Rise to the beat of the masses marching
Rise to the dire chants of war
Stand up for what you believe in
Head held high, let's settle the score

Eternal Waves

I think like fire, water can be so healing, and relaxing to watch. Again, so much power behind it. It is needed for human survival.

Let there be eternal waves
To wash away our sins
When the storm roars
We hum the tune of the ocean
Chanting to the rhythm of the tides
With our eyes set on the ceaseless, eternal waves

Watch for Me on the Mountain

This speaks of refreshing newness to come. It seems to be using the mountain as the destination to reach this safe place.

In the arrows of eternity our journey carries on
When a new day is dawning
In the blossoming days of spring
There will be a new start

When the heavens are calling my name
Watch for me on the mountain
And until that day
Let the light be your guide
And follow the path of the righteous

Playlist Pick

There just seemed to be parts that I enjoyed and parts that killed it in most songs. Some were total right-offs for me.

Blood Makes The Grass Grow, though I hate the name of the song, (feels awkward) it feels like a more consistent song. It will make it to my playlist.

Eternal Waves will also make it. When I first heard the horns in this, I thought it was absurd. They grew on me. I like the vocals and forward motion of this song. I think it did a good job of closing this album out.