April 2025 - Featured Release - The Infinite Edition

Another month means another selection for the featured release page here at Metal Academy. Since the fine folks here have given me the reins to the draft this month (a baffling decision), it is finally time for myself to give due diligence to Nordic progressive death metallers In Vain and their 2024 album, Solemn. Feel free to give it a couple of spins yourself and let us know what you think!

https://metal.academy/releases/51445

Saxy, you've done it again! Sharing with us a progressive masterpiece that I wish I had discovered earlier. And getting this album featured is a nice tribute to the recently passed vocalist/keyboardist Sindre Nedland. RIP... Here's my review summary:

Solemn is the latest offering in the 20-year career of Norwegian blackened progressive death metal band In Vain, and it's a monolith of triumph! The compositional writing is so unique and diverse. Besides the now-gone-from-the-band vocal duo of Sindre Nedland and Andreas Frigstad, guitarist Johnar Håland shines with his epic guitarwork. And the other half of the band also have the talent to help make this powerful masterpiece. Many tracks have riffing energy and deathly growls in the verses, followed by choruses drifting through clean melody in the guitar leads and singing. Deathly riffs and beautiful melodies make an intense blend of power and thunder. The fire and fury is brightened by melody and harmony and clean choruses soar through. Growls and cleans battle each other then make peace for coexistence. For anyone wanting a gem that's both ethereal and brutal at the same time, this is your Solemn hour!

5/5