From Wings to Bare Bones

Lately, when I haven’t been busy listening to promos, I’ve been deeply indulging myself in death metal of the most brutal kind I can think of. I just haven’t really been in the mood to hear anything else, but since I have an obligation to review I’m not in position to ignore other genres. Well, I suppose I could, but then again that wouldn’t be fair to the people who’ve spent money sending me their albums. And so it’s come to the point where I’ve just got to bite the bullet and get down to business. Unfortunately that means reviewing melodic metal promos, a genre I pretty much can’t stand. I’ve never heard of Verso previous to receiving this promo, and reading through the info sheet In Flames, Chimaira, Soilwork, Tool and Dream Theater are mentioned as influencing the band’s sound. So it’s evident I’m in for a nightmare of a review.

I’ve listened to this album several times now, and the main problem I have with "From wings to bare bones" is the combination of soft music and clean vocals. Here’s the deal… These Finnish lads certainly know how to play metal, one can’t argue with that. Sure, it’s definitely on the melodic side of the matter, the very melodic side, but since they have a somewhat style of their own they’re at least not just treading the paths already established. Heavier chugging that sounds very hardcore inspired is mixed with some classic Scandinavian-styled melodic death metal, as well as some softer and easy-listening pure shite. And it’s that last part that scares the hell out of me. At times I could’ve sworn I was listening to an everyday radio station; it’s just that soft, sounding a bit like their fellow countrymen Poets of the Fall. But ok, while it might not be my cup of tea Verso at least does it well, and I could probably bear with it if it wasn’t for that vocal issue in combination…

Petteri, the vocalist, has a very nice voice. He switches back and forth between semi-growled screams (falling somewhat on the metalcore side of the matter) with clean vocals. While metalcore also scares the hell out of me, just as clean vocals in metal does when not used very sparsely, this fellow’s voice is strong and good. I can’t deny that he has a voice that would fell teenage girls at a concert like a hurricane wrecks houses in the States. But, and here’s the kicker; the combination of those yucky easy-listening sections with Petteri’s most melodic style is horrendous. It becomes just way too soft for me.

Despite all my animosity towards too melodic metal and clean vocals there is one track here that just kicks my arse. "Dark on every side" is one hell of a track. The metal remains metal even through the soft parts, and that voice sends shivers down my spine. So what can I say? Verso might not be my bag, but fans of progressive melodic metal should check this out, ‘cause it probably will fit right into your bag.

Originally written for http://www.mylastchapter.net