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Band: Meadows End
Album title: Sojourn
Release date: 10 August 2018 (original release date: 29 February 2016)
Label: Black Lion Records
Tracklist:
01. Amidst The Villains
02. Remnants
03. Nightmare's Reef (Area Of Thieves)
04. Heathens' Embrace
05. Soulslain
06. Deadlands
07. End Of Fallens
08. All Of Them
09. Angel Dreams (Elven Dreams)
10. Clench The Feet Of Fools
11. Forever Haven
12. My Leading Command
13. Everlasting
Meadows End started their musical journey just over two decades ago. Most of this time was spent dishing out a sizable amount of demos and mini albums before releasing their full length debut, Ode To Quietus in 2010 and the follow up, The Sufferwell, in 2014. In 2016, instead of putting out a new record of new material, Sojourn is instead a collection of tracks from passed EPs and demos, re-recorded to create the bands third album. The record has now been re-released through Black Lion Records.
In writing this review, I found it difficult to put into words how striking the sound is. The best I can do is to say that it's the sound of Insomnium trying to make a Fleshgod Apocalypse albums. Heaviness, tempo changes and classical influence are the key here. The vocals are a rough cross somewhere between Amon Amarth and Opeth that roars over the band as they play with some beautiful instrumental layering that never strays too far from the heaviness.
With that said, however, the keyboards, synths and occasional violin work does strip away much of the potential brutality, but it doesn't negatively effect the tracks. This is melodic death detal for a reason. Sheer madness is obviously not the goal here. Meadows End is metal for fans of a more sundry sound. Closer neighbors to Amorphis and Enslaved than to Deicide and Pungent Stench.
Sojourn proves to be a master class of melodeath. Standout tracks like "Soulslain" and "All Of Them" carry the album through its 12 track run (13 with the bonus) and shows what can be created by revisiting ones past. Meadows End has released an album for both old and new fans alike.
Review written by: Will Ring
Rating: 8,5/10
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