Many metal legends keep on evolving and some even, sadly, totally forgetting their roots. Sometimes a new band is highly influenced with these legends' musical heritage and is actually a much better choice than old evolved legends' new releases. Withering's debut full length album 'Gospel of Madness' is one such a release.

Withering's metal is full of melancholic melodies and vibes. Amorphis' 1994 album 'Tales of the Thousand Lakes' minus the keyboards, Paradise Lost circa 1995 and Sentenced's 'Down' (1997) and newer releases to some extent, and Amon Amarth's sense of melodiousness, come easily to mind when playing 'Gospel...'. Melancholic yet sky-reaching melodies are the highlight here. Sometimes pure Finnish, sometimes very English indeed, never boring if this kind of metal is close to your heart. While this is on the melancholic side, energetic performance from the band and Sentenced-esque rocking beats carry on the songs. Acoustic guitar is used slightly. However, more acoustic parts would have been nice because it adds variety to not too varying song material. I still think synth is not needed, though. Withering doesn't sound a carbon copy of any of the four mentioned bands, because these newcomers have succeeded in injecting something own into this concoction. Or then this mixture is just inventive, even though its formula was waiting to be found for years.

The album was recorded at Tico-Tico Studios and it sounds heavy for sure and nothing too smooth. Growled vocals are, even though varying in one style, a bit of a bore at times. I do not know what's wrong with them, maybe the lack of real anger or something. Even some "raiiii"-growls, which were Amorphis' trademark in the old days, can be heard. A nice touch. The lyrics are mainly about Finnish mindsets, often angry and melancholic. Nothing new for Finniha metal, surely.

I'm not convinced with the later releases from legendary Amorphis and Paradise Lost (however, I do not mean either when writing about bands totally forgetting their roots). This is where Withering step in and save the day. Not a touch of pussy nail varnish goth, but manly metal with melancholic feel to destroy your auditory nerves with. Hopefully Withering will be able to evolve and come up with more originality, because these eleven songs are quite a thorough sample of this style of metal. A good debut album, with some very good songs.

Rating: 7+ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
03/20/2004 22:18