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IN VAIN

Tech/Extreme Prog Metal • Norway


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In Vain picture
In Vain biography
IN VAIN is a progressive metal band from Kristiansand, Norway consisting of J. Haaland (guitars, sounds), A. Frigstad (vocals), S. Nedland (clean vocals, piano, organ, background vocals), S. Reinhardtsen (drums) and K. Wikstol (bass, hardcore vocals) that formed in 2003.

In 2004, they self released their first EP "Will the Sun Ever Rise?" which contained three tracks of unrelenting atmosphere, aggression and complexity.

In December of 2005, they self released their second EP "Wounds." The music was more diverse, progressive and dramatic without sacrificing the brutal edge of its predecessor.

Their debut album, "The Latter Rain" was recorded in DUB Studio in the summer/fall of 2006. The recording was a huge project involving close to twenty guest musicians and several guest vocalists such as legendary Jan K. Transeth (IN THE WOODS...) and Kjetil Nordhus (GREEN CARNATION, TRAIL OF TEARS).

WHY THIS BAND IS IN THE ARCHIVES:

IN VAIN has evolved from their death/thrash beginnings, to a progressive death metal band which is evident by their debut album "The Latter Rain." They were approved by the Prog Metal Team and come very highly recommended to all extreme metal fans.

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IN VAIN discography


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IN VAIN top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.13 | 23 ratings
The Latter Rain
2007
3.71 | 26 ratings
Mantra
2010
3.27 | 21 ratings
Ænigma
2013
3.86 | 7 ratings
Currents
2018

IN VAIN Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

IN VAIN Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

IN VAIN Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

IN VAIN Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

4.50 | 2 ratings
Will The Sun Ever Rise?
2004
4.67 | 3 ratings
Wounds
2005

IN VAIN Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Ænigma by IN VAIN album cover Studio Album, 2013
3.27 | 21 ratings

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Ænigma
In Vain Tech/Extreme Prog Metal

Review by EatThatPhonebook
Prog Reviewer

3 stars 5/10

Overly Familiar, But Executed With Well-Intentioned Energy.

It might sound derogative, but it's the way things are: right now In Vain are just another Death Metal band hailing from Norway with a polished-sounding production and constantly clean/growl vocal pattern. It's a formula that has been used countless times in the last fifteen years or so in metal music, and a lot of times bands like Opeth and Enslaved find great success indulging in this style. But in more recent years there have been a great deal of downright copycats; sadly, In Vain sounds just like one of them.

At their third album, "Aenigma", it seems they don't make an effort to try different approaches. The one thing they do that is admirable is that they're able to use both Death Metal growls and Black Metal shrieks and make them cohabit in the same track very well. This is in fact a talented band, with great musicians and with evidently a lot of points of reference, which is not necessarily a bad thing. But I'm yet to hear from them something that sounds just a little bit different from the prototype of Progressive Metal band who likes to turn it up a notch vocal performance-wise.

But even if the album somehow did manage to have its own distinct sound, the songwriting is half-forgettable, even though In Vain manages to structure a few songs quite well and to put some nice, quieter instrumental bridges within a stracks. I could start drawing comparisons here, but they'd be useless. In terms of dissecting a song's core, and spreading some diversity here and there, the band can do that well, and that's one thing that matters. Tracks such as "Times Of Yore" and the closing "Floating Of the Murmuring Tide" are perfect examples, and also happen to be very well executed. Another highlight would be the opening track "Against The Grain" easily the most memorable and melodic track here. But the rest of the album, sadly, is bland and pretty much flavorless.

Saying that In Vain is not a good band is a ridiculous statement, because there is a lot of potential in their music. They're talented musicians and I'm sure they're capable of making more original and less borrowed-sounding music eventually. But for now, they can't help but being stuck in the vast, painfully homogeneous sea of Scandinavian bands that haven't gained much success.

 Ænigma by IN VAIN album cover Studio Album, 2013
3.27 | 21 ratings

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Ænigma
In Vain Tech/Extreme Prog Metal

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

3 stars On Aenigma In Vain play a style of blackened death metal where the primary black metal inspiration is progressive-era Enslaved. This means lots of clean vocals and atmospherics by the ton, with just enough death metal to stop the band from descending into Enslaved clone territory. Actually, I'd say In Vain have a way to go before they are on Enslaved's level when it comes to progressive extreme metal - in particular, their song structures feel cluttered and messy, almost as though they just threw in a bunch of stuff for no reason other than they heard Enslaved doing it - but they're on the way.
 Mantra by IN VAIN album cover Studio Album, 2010
3.71 | 26 ratings

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Mantra
In Vain Tech/Extreme Prog Metal

Review by Robinanimate

3 stars Too bad.

I was hoping for more from In Vain on their second endeavor. On the positive side their production has gotten a bit better. But on the other hand, the strong sense of identity that came across on their first album has vanished into thin air. First of all, the diversity on each track has lost its innovative feel and appeal on most of the tracks this time around. Where The Latter Rain always saved its monotonous feel by applying unexpected changes and twists, thus never becoming boring, Mantra causes loss of concentration on many occasions. I do get the doom feel that In Vain might try to express, but the long lasting monotonous parts are taking too much space this time around. This results in a lesser display of originality and identity, which clearly was demonstrated to a higher degree on the last album. Also, some of the melodies appear somewhat too similar to some of those from the last album. There are, however, some exceptions. The track Wayakin stands out as a great melody and original tune. In addition, the second track Ain't No Lovin' is also great, but it is also quite reminiscent of Opeth, and therefore doesn't exactly help to bring In Vain's identity to any higher level. The individual performance instrumentally is still great, and as mentioned previously, the production has gotten better. So there is still hope for In Vain. But as far as Mantra goes, I would definitely recommend The Latter Rain before it.

 The Latter Rain by IN VAIN album cover Studio Album, 2007
4.13 | 23 ratings

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The Latter Rain
In Vain Tech/Extreme Prog Metal

Review by Robinanimate

4 stars Another excellent constellation from Norway.

Though In Vain has been compared to Opeth on countless occasions, they definitely have their own signature. Certain riffs are indeed reminiscent of those of Opeth, and the hammond also brings about a certain 70's feel to some of the tracks, but that is just one aspect of many presented on The Latter Rain. First of all, and let's be honest about this, neither of the vocalist of In Vain are even close to being as good as mister Åkerfeldt. But that isn't the point either. In this context both the clean and growling vocals works excellent. For new acquaintances it should be noted that the growling is not of the death metal kind. It is rather leaning towards black metal growling/screaming. And it works like a charm.

The melodies on this album are also pretty good, and the diversity between the tracks saves this album from ever getting boring. The songs might come off a bit monotonous at times, but this is made up for by good melodies and variety between the individual songs. As for the production, it sounds a bit thin at times. The drums and vocal is good, but the guitars sounds a bit faded when they go into their "progressive-one-string-black-metal-riffing". (I know, a terrible but necessary description.) This has also been a problem with black metal bands since the dawn of the genre. So whatever influences derived from black metal by In Vain could very well be purposeful, in the production as well as the composition of the riffs. The critique on the production is nitpicking though. Allover this is a great effort from the Norwegian youngsters. Especially since it is their debut album. Not many bands can start their promising career with such a strong first album. It also has a long life expectancy, which also signals that greatness is about to be achieved. I little bit more diversity, and a tad better production and their next album will get 5 stars for sure. I look forward to see how these guys will do in the future.

Thanks to Plankowner for the artist addition.

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