I think it’s fair to say that I’ve been a bit slack with updating Loucifer Speaks lately… this is mainly due to a monstrous assignment that has been taking up far to much of my time. Anyway, I’ve just handed the little beastie in, so I thought I’d treat you all to a long over-due freebie…
In case you’re not familiar with the concept of “Freebie of the Week”, here’s a brief explanation… Each week I go on a little hunt through the vast wastelands of the Internet in search of FREE and LEGAL downloads. So, all of the downloads featured here will be obtainable through trustworthy means… and they’ll be guilt-free. For example, I will only ever feature music available from official band websites, profiles (such as MySpace, Reverbnation or Facebook) and Last.fm (or equivalent).
Insomnium are currently touring with Paradise Lost… so, to celebrate that, I thought I’d share some of their demo tracks. You can download these tracks either by heading over to the Demos page on Insomnium’s official website or click on the individual links below:
Info:
Over the last decade Insomnium has slowly but surely made itself a household name among the melodic deathsters. Formed in 1997 in a somnolent town of Joensuu, in eastern Finland, these stern men have ever since redefined the boundaries of the genre. Two highly acclaimed demos already set the standard and in 2001 the band signed to UK label Candlelight Records.
At this point the founding members Markus Hirvonen (drums), Ville Friman (guitars) and Niilo Sevänen (vocals and bass) attached guitarist Ville Vänni to the band. The triumphant line-up had been born. Debut album In the Halls of Awaiting (2002) introduced a young and fierce band that combined aggression and violent riffing to melancholic atmosphere. Marriage of Scandinavian death metal and traditional Finnish tunes, catchy but progressive, melodic but brutal – these have been the Insomnium trademarks ever since. Debut was praised all over the metal world but the band still remained the Finland’s best kept secret.
With Since the Day It All Came Down (2004) the band moved further from the beaten paths of the genre. Album was darker, more challenging and the songs took meandering pathways: a rewarding journey for those who dare to take it. Exaltations followed, the prestige grew. In 2005 Insomnium made its first real tour outside Finland as they hit the shores of UK. The road had been long, narrow and rocky, but now things started to roll.
Third album Above the Weeping World (2006) was the breakthrough. Compositions and arrangements had reached a new pinnacle and the overall sound was heavier and richer. Album was tighter, meaner and more menacing than ever. Long-time friend Aleksi Munter did the epic keyboard parts which added a whole new layer to the songs. Album took the 9th spot on the Finnish album charts, Mortal Share video blared in MTV and Insomnium made long tours in Europe and North America with bands like Amorphis, Katatonia, Enslaved and Satyricon.
New album Across the Dark (2009) shows a band that knows its strenghts but isn’t afraid to evolve. Crux of the music is still melodic death metal but nuances are giving it a unique flavor. Keyboards are overwhelmingly epic and there are some stunning clean vocals by Jules Näveri. Bit of folk metal, pinch of doom, some thrashing, a whole lot of timeless melodies and progressive twists and there you have it: ingredients of the masterpiece.
Links:
insomnium.net
facebook.com/insomniumofficial
myspace.com/insomniumband
Norway’s Vreid have announced that they will be joining Paradise Lost and Insomnium for their UK tour in April. The following message was left on the band’s official Facebook page:
“We are very pleased to announce a full UK tour in April. Together with Insomnium we will support legendary Paradise Lost on their Tragic Idol Tour. This will be a blast, and we are looking forward to see you all in April. Vreid will do all shows besides the show in Norwich on the 30th of April.”
vreid.no
facebook.com/pages/VREID-OFFICIAL/98077122201
myspace.com/thepitchblackbrigade
Insomnium have been confirmed as the main support on Paradise Lost’s forthcoming UK tour. If you want to check out this two fantastic bands in action, get yourself along to at least on of the dates below. I certainly hope to be there!
16.04 Cardiff – Great Hall 2 (seetickets.com)
17.04 Southampton – The Brook (wegottickets.com)
18.04 Folkestone – Quarterhouse (seetickets.com)
19.04 Colchester – Arts Centre (colchesterartscentre.com)
20.04 Stoke – Sugarmill (seetickets.com)
22.04 York – The Duchess (ticketweb.co.uk)
23.04 Glasgow – King Tuts (gigsinscotland.com)
24.04 Sheffield – Corporation (seetickets.com)
25.04 Wolverhampton – Slade Rooms (kililive.com)
26.04 Nottingham – Rescue Rooms (seetickets.com)
27.04 Manchester – Club Academy (kililive.com)
29.04 London – Scala (kililive.com)
30.04 Norwich – Waterfront (ueaticketbookings.co.uk)
paradiselost.co.uk
facebook.com/paradiselostofficial
insomnium.net
facebook.com/insomniumofficial
This is Insomnium’s first line-up change in ten years. Ville Vänni has left the band and Markus Vanhala is the new Insomnium guitarist.
Ville Vänni steps aside from Insomnium and plays his farewell shows next week in Joensuu and Helsinki. It was not an easy decision for anyone. This is what Ville V. has to say:
Dear all,
Time is now ripe to share the news about line-up changes in the Insomnium camp. With a heavy heart I have reached the decision to resign from Insomnium. The decision is mutual and final, and there is no big drama behind it.
During the last year I have found myself in a limbo of constant lack of time and impossible schedules. Combining a general surgeon’s career with a busy metal band like Insomnium has already taken years of precise timing, and the candle has been burning from both ends for years now. At the same time, Insomnium has grown bigger demanding more and more time. As a result, I have gradually come to a painful realization that I can not meet the needs of this roller coaster ride any more.
This decision was hard to make and accept for all of us. Insomnium has been like a family and the band mates have been (and will still remain) my best and closest friends. For not being able to give my 100% would only be letting them down. The reason why this decision is made flesh right now is that I will not be able to attend the One For Sorrow European tour. My wife is due to give birth to our first son and it is my responsibility, duty and choice to be home at that time. I will play two first shows in Finland and then bid farewell.
However, the burden of this decision is lightened by the fact that Insomnium will go on and even grow stronger after my retirement. Markus Vanhala from Omnium Gatherum will take my place as a full-time guitarist in Insomnium. He is a good friend and an excellent musician and has already been replacing me and Ville F. on several occasions.
Thank you Niilo, Ville and Markus for a decade of good times and a lifetime of friendship and unforgettable memories. And thank you all Insomnium fans, it is you who made this all possible! See you on the coming shows!
Yours,
Ville Vänni
The band have left the following message:
We all want to thank Ville for everything and totally support him with his decision. We’ve been together for ten years with this line-up and it has been a great ride. We’ve been a band of brothers, we’ve been a family. Nothing will ever change that.
This is the beginning of a new era for Insomnium. Sometimes a change is needed to keep the band going. Luckily we have got the best possible man to fill the vacancy, our good friend Markus Vanhala, who is best known as the songwriter and lead guitarist of Omnium Gatherum. Markus will naturally continue in Omnium Gatherum and unfortunately our tour schedules collide in November when OG is participating the Neckbreaker’s Ball. As a result, we’ll have Tuomas Jäppinen as a second guitarist for the first seven evenings of the tour. Tuomas is also our old buddy and he is best known as the songwriter and lead guitarist of Enter My Silence. Tuomas is doing us a huge favour in delivering a killer show every night. So, make sure Tuomas feels welcomed when he hits the stage! Markus will join our ranks in München and play all the German shows on the tour.
Dear friends, do not take these news too heavily. Insomnium is not dying or withering away – we will be stronger than ever and we will keep touring and making new music. Give Ville Vänni the kind of farewell shows he deserves and come to see us perform in Joensuu on Nov 4th and Helsinki on Nov 5th. Then come and meet the new gang on the Euro Tour. See you soon!
- Insomnium
Personally, I’m shocked; but Markus is a fantastic choice to fill Ville’s shoes.
Insomnium have revealed the artwork for their hotly anticipated album “One For Sorrow”. The album can be seen below.
As previously reported, the album will be released on October 12th in Finland, October 17th in the rest of Europe and October 18th in North America.
“One for Sorrow” Track List:
1. Inertia
2. Through the Shadows
3. Song of the Blackest Bird
4. Only One Who Waits
5. Unsung
6. Every Hour Wounds
7. Decoherence
8. Lay the Ghost to Rest
9. Regain the Fire
10. One for Sorrow
