Tortura Insomniae

Anew band emerged from the Swedish scene playing a non very typical melodic death metal sound. Many bands from Sweden have tried to evolve the Gothenburg death style, and “Tortura Insomniae” was the try of Ebony Tears to do so, sounding like a weaker version of At the Gates with folk instruments, plain and simple. In the album you can actually notice the madenish guitar riffs mixed with folk instruments such as violin and acoustic guitars, but don’t get confused, they are not close to sound like Dark Lunacy or a gothic metal band. This album does not sound aggressive or dark or depressed at all.

“Moonlight” and ”Nectars of Eden”, are some of the best songs of the album, but “With tears in my eyes” is probably the best one. Most of these songs have an atmospheric start done with acoustic guitars and violin, then the hard part of the song begins when the drums and guitars enter.

From my point of view, the folk influences made the album sound happier, softer, and powerless. Of course, the band decided to change the sound for the next albums, which wasn’t well received by some of us. As a melodic death metal fan, I’d say that this is the best work of the band, but they could’ve done better.