It is always fab to hear some out-of-ordinary projects, and Finnish one-man band Into My Houses with three guesting vocalists is just that. This debut demo is not pushed with the usual means, e.g. "we are a *insert genre here* metal band". All the expectations can be brushed away, so one can enter open-eyed (or perhaps open-eared) into sonic scapes this release offers.

Into My House's mastermind Tomi Tupiini (also bass in Goathemy, ex-Ikinae- ex-Enthropia etc.) has composed 99.9% of the music. The songs are longish, narrative ones, so there's also a lot happening in each one of 'em. Generally, the atmosphere is unhappy, and therefore I take this as dark metal. 'Song for Someone' includes lead guitar melodies similar to Greek masters of darkness Septic Flesh and I also hear invisible connection with Finnish band Evemaster. But there is interesting, maybe even unforeseeable turnups, like 'RI's System Of A Down-ish bits. What is weird, it's that the original song material was trash bin material from aforementioned old bands! Four vocalists are very different to each other, varying from blackish growl to cleanly sung heavy metal voice, and female vocals. The mixture does work well. Guitar and bass are okay, but drum machine is lame, which is simply emphasized when compared to other elements.

Sequel is in the works, so let's see what Into My Houses can come up with next time (hopefully better drum programming!). 'Some Forsaken Ones' is an interesting demonstration from this project, and can be recommended for dark metal fans looking for something a bit more obscure instead of another safe-sounding band. Pick this up for free at the band's site, can't be a bad bargain!

Reviewed by Lane
05/03/2008 20:19