REVIEWS

The Myth of Autumn - World in Flames (demo)
		Tracklisting: 01. Forever Fading 02. Infected 03. The Odyssey Total: 12:40		Rating: Links: - Official Website
One Among the Others, the title of The Myth of Autumn's second demo (released in 2004), might at one time have served as a fairly accurate reflection of this Jyväskylä-based band's place in the crowded realm of Finnish melodic, melancholic metal, but steady growth on all fronts has brought their music to a level of quality and distinctiveness that should excite even the most jaded followers of that scene. Gradually shedding an early indebtedness to Sentenced and, to a lesser degree, to Charon, The Myth of Autumn (a.k.a. TMOA) have developed a sound that is harder, heavier, and more diverse than either of those icons'. With the release of their sixth demo, Rust, in 2007, they took a huge step forward by increasing the brutality, complexity, and technical quality of their music, and they make even greater strides on World in Flames. Like its predecessor, the new demo combines strong, soulful melodies, forceful, emotional vocals, delicate keyboards, and aggressive guitars and drums. Here, though, there is a more dynamic relationship between these elements. Neither the catchy but not overly lilting choruses nor the keys, which are used more subtly than in the past, detract from the heaviness of the music. The songs are more fully realized and adventurous, incorporating greater variety of tempo, rhythm, and style. Adding to the edginess of each track are some groovalicious, technically flawless, very metal, overdriven guitars (which are far more original-sounding than the melodic death metal riffing heard in parts of "Forever Fading"), and quite kinetic percussion, especially the explosive fills. While the style of new drummer Pasi (Pablo/Von) Moilanen (Resleep) is similar to that of his predecessor, Wille Silvast, the drums are heavier here than on Rust. Augmented by Moilanen and guitarist Jani Viitala (ex-Exlife), who arrived in 2006, TMOA now sound tighter than ever as a band. Their greatest asset, however, is the voice of Ari (Arzka) Kauppinen (who also plays guitar and, formerly, keyboards, in Saralee). Early in his career, he bore an unignorable resemblance to Ville Laihiala, but now he's like a cross between Ville and J-P Leppäluoto, yet with his own individual intonations - more powerful than the former, often rougher than either, and, yes, every bit as thrilling as that description might make him sound. If this guy recorded an album of Lutheran hymns, I'd buy it. With Kauppinen's commanding presence as an anchoring force and with the band's cohesiveness as a unit, World in Flames maintains a sense of controlled intensity throughout. Each song, however, manifests that feeling in a different way: "Forever Fading" majestically, especially in the relatively slow-paced verses, where foundation-shattering vocals are punctuated by heavy guitars, and in the stately chorus and coda; "Infected" with an urgency that stops just short of sounding frantic, derived from impassioned singing, tumultuous rhythms, a rapid tempo, and the insistent beat of a very prominent bass drum; and in "The Odyssey" (the EP's most diverse song) through an accentuation of attitude, projected by Ari's delivery, the punch of staccato riffing, and a buoyant groove. World in Flames is thus a neat package showcasing not only TMOA's talent but their tonal variety - and that, perhaps, partly accounts for the fact that the EP went from five tracks (as was originally planned) to three. One regrettable omission, however, is the titular song, which was later released as a web single. A killer combination of arresting melodies, exquisite pacing, excellent sound dynamics, and electrifying vocals, "World in Flames" surpasses anything they've ever done. The only thing reconciling me to this masterpiece's exclusion is the hope that it will eventually appear on the full-length I feel this band is ready to make. Boasting their best line-up yet and a captivating sound, TMOA are well equipped to kick asses and stir souls. If there were fewer of the former (in a different sense of the word) and more of the latter amongst record label executives, they would already be signed. Maud
Released: 2009, self-released