Joensuu’s own Melodic Death Metal masters return from the underworld with their tenth studio album, a journey deeper into the shadows, steeped in the unmistakable spirit of Finnish melancholy.

Ever since emerging from the mist-shrouded city of Joensuu in the heart of North Karelia, Melodic Death Metal masters Insomnium have stood as a beacon for those drawn to melancholy, introspection, and the beauty found within darkness. Now, for the tenth time, the band currently formed of Niilo Sevänen on lead vocals and bass, Ville Friman, Markus Vanhala and Tomy Laisto on the guitars and clean vocals, and Markus Hirvonen on drums opens the door to a new chapter, titled Netherworlds. Recorded and engineered by Miiro Varjus at Sonic Pump Studios, mixed by Jens Bogren and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios, featuring guest musician Aleksi Munter on keyboards, and displaying a somber artwork by Travis Smith of Seempieces, the follow-up to their 2023 opus Anno 1696 is a journey deeper into the shadows, steeped in the unmistakable spirit of Finnish melancholy and enriched by the band’s most nuanced and emotionally resonant songwriting to date. Sweeping atmospheres, poignant melodies, and crushing heaviness intertwine to create a work that is both deeply personal and universally affecting.

Originally composed by Henry Purcell for the semi-opera King Arthur (1691), The Cold Song is an epic intro to the also epic Shadowlife, with their guitars breathing fire and, therefore, offering Niilo exactly what he needs to vociferate in a dark and captivating way. Remembrance presents the band’s trademark melodeath sound, feeling obscure and grim while at the same time electrifying and vibrant, whereas in Gleam in the Black the band brings elements of 80’s Gothic Rock and Metal to their core sound, led by the striking beats and fills by Markus Hirvonen, while Markus Vanhala, Ville and Tomy deliver sheer adrenaline form their axes. And featuring guests Santerii Kalio on keyboards, and Tomi Joutsen and Tomi Koivusaari on vocals, The Hour Grows Late reminds me of some of their classic tunes from Shadows of a Dying Sun, overflowing melancholy and darkness.

Arch of the Sky offers our avid ears six minutes of a top-of-the-line fusion of Finnish Melodic Death Metal with gothic nuances, where Niilo once again fires his unparalleled harsh vocals supported by the rumbling drums by Markus Hirvonen; followed by Pathways of the Night, another classic, no shenanigans onrush of pure Insomnium, with the background keys by Aleksi Munter adding a touch of finesse to their already stylish sound. Ethereal Sleep is a slow and steady dark ballad by the quintet, delivering sheer doom to our hearts, while The Banished brings the album back to a more ferocious sonority led by the scorching riffs by the band’s guitar triumvirate. Finally, Journey’s End feels more like an extended outro than a song per se, maybe a bit too long and too atmospheric for the album, but nothing to really worry about.

Sounding both majestic and intimate, perfectly capturing the emotional weight and dynamic range that define the band’s music evolution, Netherworlds is an album that feels both fresh and timeless, a bold step forward that remains unmistakably Insomnium at its core. You can find more details about the band and their new album on Facebook and on Instagram, including their amazing tour dates, stream their vast discography on any platform like Spotify, and of course purchase Netherworlds from the Century Media’s BandCamp or webstore as a standard CD jewelcase, a gatefold black 2LP, or a a limited deluxe 2CD artbook. After all, Insomnium are back from the Finnish underworld with another killer album, exploring new emotional and sonic territories and, therefore, making the world of Melodic Death Metal a much better place.

Best moments of the album: Gleam in the Black, Arch of the Sky and The Banished.

Worst moments of the album: Ethereal Sleep.

Released in 2026 Century Media

Track listing
1. The Cold Song 2:20
2. Shadowlife 4:41
3. Remembrance 5:01
4. Gleam in the Black 4:32
5. The Hour Grows Late 8:01
6. Arch of the Sky 6:14
7. Pathways of the Night 4:56
8. Ethereal Sleep 5:42
9. The Banished 5:25
10. Journey’s End 6:57

Band members
Niilo Sevänen – lead vocals, bass
Ville Friman – guitars, clean vocals
Markus Vanhala – guitars, clean vocals
Tomy Laisto – guitars, clean vocals
Markus Hirvonen – drums

Guest musicians
Aleksi Munter – keyboards (session)
Santeri Kallio  – keyboards on “The Hour Grows Late”
Tomi Joutsen – vocals on “The Hour Grows Late”
Tomi Koivusaari – vocals on “The Hour Grows Late”