OMNIO

I think there shouldn't be any question (at least in prog metal circles) about the fact that IN THE WOODS... was an exceptional band leaving behind a legacy which will stay unforgettable for many underground artists. This Norwegian band combined that many influences and styles in their compositions to be really called eclectic in the true sense and they merely defied any categorization. Whether it's Pagan Folk, Ambient, Classical, Psychedelic, 70's Prog and of course Nordic Black Metal, it's all there in their music. Their debut was already quite sensational and uncommon in the Black (Pagan) Metal scene, still considerably more rough and wild but with their second full-length album "Omnio" they released their definite masterpiece. The genre-typical screaming, riffing and drumming style vanished here completely and instead we get here five perfectly done haunting compositions filled with a mesmerizing atmosphere at times sounding like being not of this world but not without having the right portion of heaviness at the same time.

The five tracks on here, three of them exceeding the 10-min mark can offer everything any fan of sombre and melancholic prog metal is looking for. They're accessible without being catchy, reveal an enriched sound using acoustic instruments like violin, viola, cello and piano without showing any sign of bombast and own a high variability and emotionality using intense, expressive, clear and well comprehensible vocals (both male and female). Growls are being used very sparsely and only in appropriate moments to emphasize a certain mood. As well the (very pleasant, strong and highly skilled) female vocals aren't omnipresent at all but have been used only when needed. Thus for those people being scared of getting something like Theatre Of Tragedy or any "beauty-and-the-beast"-type of Gothic Metal band I can clearly say, there isn't any similarity to such bands to be found on here. BTW the female singer on this disk (Synne "Soprana" Larsen) is the same one to be heard on GREEN CARNATION's first two releases. Not to forget mentioning the beautiful, highly poetic lyrics of this work which are certainly worth taking a closer look at. In "Omnio-Bardo" there's also the most celestial electronic sound I've ever heard on here. Actually I couldn't find any detailed information about which equipment they've been used for that and in fact I've to say they failed completely to reproduce this atmosphere on stage at the Caledonian Hall concert (there it sounded just like a noisy mess). It sounds as something like a Theremin or maybe some amp-effect but anyway absolutely unique and spine-chilling like the whole of this masterly done album.

To sum up my review I just can say that "Omnio" must be considered a definite must-have in any metal-oriented prog collection. This album is really exceptional and extraordinary providing an ultimate experience of haunting and goose-bumping music even after hundreds of spins. Though usually I'm trying to be mean with my 5-star-ratings I think this one fully deserves it.