| "Silent Reverence" rare Somnus track | |
| "Seasons in the Abyss" Slayer cover |
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| "Silent Reverence" rare Somnus track | |
| "Seasons in the Abyss" Slayer cover |
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Review by Matthew Heilman of Starvox
For those metal fans out there that enjoy the more melodic side of Black Metal, Somnus is sure to please. Through Creation’s End is the sophomore release by this talented American outfit and much like they demonstrated on their debut release “Awakening The Crown,” Somnus continues to seamlessly weave aggressive black metal elements with enveloping melodic atmospherics. But unlike most bands, there sound is not fragmented and predictable because they don’t just simply have a fast metal part that suddenly gets slow and spooky, but rather, they manage to bring all of these elements together to create one dense and engrossing multi-layered sound. They are among some of the most musical metal acts around – perhaps not when it comes to technical prowess but the sound of this record is extremely rich and profoundly dynamic. It boasts a smooth and clear production, the instruments well-balanced in the mix and the vocals are audible regardless of what style they are delivered in. With the obvious exception of the live bonus track, the CD fails to capture the raw, whirlwind urgency of the band’s live performances, but if it did, perhaps fans would then complain that the sound of the CD isn’t as professional as it could be. It’s a polished production, which accentuates the band’s musicianship more so than their muscle.
Throughout the album’s seven tracks, Somnus’ tight rhythm sections charge and gallop along, iced with Rhiannon’s cinematic orchestral synths and ghostly female vocals. The guitars are capable of full-throttle, tremolo picked assaults that fluidly segue into misty twin guitar harmonies, which entwine beautifully with buoyant keyboard passages. The ethereal synths linger while the guitars and drums pick up the pace, surging forward into dizzying blast beats – yet the aggression is nicely tempered by the presence synths. Sure, Somnus is not as sonically unrelenting as other ‘true Black Metal’ bands, nor are they quite as dark, but their music is infinitely more interesting, memorable, and emotionally affective. Somnus, in many respects, help remind folks like myself (that have long been disenchanted with the genre) that this kind of music can still be enjoyable and fulfilling.
Scott Hilberg’s vocals follow familiar formulas – gristled growls, raspy screams, and somber clean passages that merge with Rhiannon’s lucid operatic contributions. All things we have heard before, but when executed with the proper sincerity and passion, as Somnus clearly possess, these recognizable traits still manage to produce enjoyable and noteworthy effects. Occasionally the rallying spoken word parts are overdone, but this is, once again, an opus inspired by medieval fantasy and gothic mystique. And Somnus definitely succeed in spiriting their listeners to other worlds and times in a believable way.
Somnus is not your average run-of-the-mill dark metal band. They have a pleasant accessibility but an unmistakable rawness at the core of what they do. They explore the same subjects as other bands, but do so with a greater sense of imagination. They adhere to the imagery but do not hide behind it or let it eclipse their talent as musicians. And above all, their music is powerful, enjoyable, and sincere. As I have before, I highly recommend this band to fans of imaginative, melodic metal.
Review by Darkest Hours Internet Radio Website
Blending in your face death metal with atmospheric & majestic gothic landscape beauty, Somnus comes out with a very strong release. Also mixing the male death voice with the angelic female vocal gives more deep atmosphere to the songs...the narration in some songs is very cool and fits perfectly with their very dark music. It's very deep and ambiant with a lot of harmonies between the 2 singers. Writing about prophecy, mythology, the lyrics seems to fits perfectly with the awesome melodies. Sometimes brutal but without loosing the vibe, the better way to describe this release is....beautiful!!!
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Review by Tartarean Desire Webzine
Inspired by legends of the past and mythology, Somnus creates music that is interesting both lyrically and musically which is unfortunately too unusual these days. Another unfortunate thing is that I tend to care very little about whether the lyrics are breathtaking or plain lousy when I write my reviews since I see no point in letting it rule the appearance of the album as a whole. Music is music and books are books. However, Somnus does have some interesting things going on in their music. It would be a lie not to admit that they have been influenced by Cradle Of Filth in their more gothic moments. The mandatory female chanting is here as well. The female member is Rhiannon and she has also done some guest vocals for Avernus in the past. She also handles the keyboards which is one of the most important elements in the music of Somnus since most of the songs are at least to 50% built on keyboard arrangements. I wouldn't regard most of the music of this album as pure black metal though. It is more like a mix of symphonic death and doom metal with a slight touch of black metal. The thing that separates Somnus from many other bands is that their music is very melodic and the keyboard arrangements are rather innovative. They actually remind me of what Therion used to sound like in their early days. The eery vocals are also very well done. A good solid release with plenty of atmosphere from one of the few interesting black metal bands that the United States has to offer. Recommended for fans of old Therion, Dissection and older Cradle Of Filth. Stand-out tracks: "The Deceiver", "Creation's End"
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Review by Beowolf Productions
I was waiting for this CD to come out for awhile now. I have supported & loved everything SOMNUS has put out for years. I'm glad to see & hear that they are making great music still. These guys & gal play great powerful, intense atmospheric Black Metal. The music is so well constructed that they blow a lot of the bigger bands in their vein away! There are some Doom Metal influences in their music as well, here & there. These songs just suck you in on a dark majestic journey through a hauntingly good musical masterpiece. This band rules! I love this band! This band just out does themselves with each release. Get this disc now!!!
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Review by Metalpus
From the first moment that I listened to this cd, I was in complete awe. Somnus wasted no time displaying their timeless beauty, making it seem almost effortless. They play some of the best American black metal I have ever heard. There sound is a mixture of atmospheric black metal and orchestrated doom that really grabs your attention. If you can picture Alice Cooper's Love It To Death album, combined with something from Cradle Of Filth and/or Hecate Enthroned, than you should have somewhat of an idea of what Somnus sound like. The female vocals are breath taking, sided with the very grim male vocals. There are keyboards used in this album, but believe me, it completely adds to this band, giving them a more haunting and chilling feel. If you're into black metal I really suggest picking up this album, it's truly an essential to own.
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Review by Rocky at Baphomet's Lounge
Check out the cover art with Billy sitting on this throne out in the woods! Where the hell is he? He's sitting out in that patch of woods behind the Flying Machine right between the two trailer parks! He hangs out in those woods waiting for the next time Somnus hits the stage.
This is an incredible album of epic blackened metal, with poetic lyrics for all you mental giants. The tunes are sort Emperor style, but with much more interesting keyboards. Instead of just banging out synth chords in the background of the trashing, these keyboards lines are intricate and tasty, with classy sounds of grand piano and harpsicord instead of lame skating rink puppet show synth. The album is great end to end, and ranges from raging fast cuts to slower numbers...but it's all heavy. There are some female vocals, but they are used very sparingly; I actually would have like to heard more of them. The main vocals are primarily death/black metal style, which fits perfectly with the music. If this band hailed from fucking Finland or Sweden we'd all be clammoring like clams for them. Buy Auto-American style, and check out Blondie!
Review by Michel's Metal Crypt
4 1/2 out of 5 skulls Somnus is a Black Metal band from Cleveland, Ohio, and I must say it is a relief to see that some good metal can still come out of the United States. Dark, somewhat atmospheric, Awakening the Crown is an album that you experience rather than just listen to. Using keyboards intelligently - that is you can hear them but they are not overused like some bands tend to do - and with occasional female vocals (the keyboardist is female) either in duo with the main vocalist or occasionally signing or speaking a passage, Somnus' sound is quite different from what I've heard so far. The lead vocalist varies his vocals enough to keep things interesting, if not surprising at times. The sound is a little orchestral at times, and I find the song arrangements are very well done - not one song is bad, in fact I'm having a hard time picking a favorite. The album also includes two instrumental songs. The lyrics are very well written, and, frankly, the only negative point I can make is that the lyrics are not in the correct order in the booklet... Not exactly a big problem!
This band has nothing to envy to Scandinavian Black Metal bands, and those who ditch U.S. Black Metal better take a second look at this one, they just don't know what they're missing. A very impressive debut album. Highly recommended.
Review by Midwest Metal #22
Very impressive, very classy, very catchy and very well done on all levels is the debut from Somnus. They're an Atmospheric Black Metal band that really captures the essence of both styles. And while most bands of this genre employ a cookie monster vocalist who fucking ruins the band, Somnus opts for someone who can growl when necessary, but holds his own when doing his thing. Like I said, very well done, great packaging, and top notch presentation.
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Review by Prelude to Darkness Webzine
This is the album debut of Somnus, they bring us "Awakening the Crown", dark sounds with some atmospheric black metal parts (if it's ok we're using this term...), the album has achieved to capture our attention due to the great efficiency and ability of these musicians who make their songs based on dark passages and harmonies full of pain. The work of Rhiannon playing the keyboards and the sounds she creates is deep and important for bringing the background atmosphere to all the songs, besides she also delights us with her nice voice for some moments, moreover we can feel a bit faster guitar riffs, a drummer who does his duty efficiently and the several variations in the vocals made by Scott Hilberg enable us to appreciate stuff that shows very interesting itself. Somnus don't get into monotonous just like other bands into this style do, you might think these guys are from Europe because of their music sound and lyrics but it would be wrong because they are from Ohio. The album contains 10 themes which will take you to an indescribable and unimaginable place, you'll know what we mean only by listening to it, among the 10 songs we think the most recommendable are "Unfulfilled Prophecy", "Beyond the Shores", and "Fulfilling the Throne"...the power and crown are just awake...
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Review by Eternal Hate Webzine #2
I am speechless really! "Awakening The Crown" is absolutely something astonishing! Somnus created one of the most beautiful albums of Dark Metal (I have no idea if the band will agree with this description but that’s how I see it!) I have ever heard! 10 tracks of pure beauty, talent and charisma. An album based on Paganism and Mythology. From the cover to the total layout, "Awakening The Crown" transpires originality and takes you on a "journey to the caves of thunder"! Let your soul and mind be embraced by darkness!
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Review by Promethean Crusade
Immediately catching my attention with tantalizing album art featuring a woodland monarch at unrest at his a stone & wood-constructed throne, with a raven perched atop it, I knew I was in for something a bit different. Blazing through the speakers comes arcane dark metal, bordering on the black, but too controlled and focused to be from Scandinavia. My thought was that maybe some Germans whom were fans of both Blind Guardian and Ancient Wisdom decided to see their vision in unlight, but alas, imagine my surprise when I found that the band was from Cleveland, Ohio!!! How could anything this inspired and calculated originate on our on soil? Then I thought for a moment and realized that this was that same band that recorded a more intense version of "Seasons In The Abyss" than the actual authors of the song (on last year's Dwell Records' Gateway To Hell compilation)! Awakening The Crown then deserved my undivided attention! Each song on the album is a self-contained tale, depicting visions of ancient warfare, great quests, regal turmoil and magical ceremonies within an atmospheric and disparaging setting. The album is a milestone for America, for it shows that there is hope for us yet, and that the Europeans aren't the only people with a zest for taste and class! Experience Somnus and become engulfed by a new age of enlightenment! Mark Morton, Promethean Crusade Magazine, 119 King Street, Pottstown, PA 19464 USA , 610-326-3286
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Review by Transcending the Mundane #9
Awakening the Crown is an excellent debut that features an easily identifiable mix of symphonic black metal with a medieval feel and some touches of gothic. Unlike the flashiness of Dimmu Borgir, Somnus focuses on creating and developing a dark, sombre atmosphere while maintaining aggressive vocals. While Scott Hilberg has an excellent coarse style, he will add a deep gothic, sometimes spoken style for effect. At times keyboardist Rhiannon lends her feminine voice. It is her keyboard playing that effectively enhances the music and often adds a neo classical sound to the compositions. The lyrics are a great read, very poetic in nature. This Cleveland based band first caught my attention at the March Metal Meltdown. It was at this show that their talents were really revealed. Unlike many American extreme bands, they look to create an original sound and are talented at creating atmospheres without neglecting the song.
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Review by Chronicles of Chaos #49
Great stuff to be uncovered on Awakening the Crown. No drab Satanic doldrums or trite black metal extracts, just heavily laden atmospheric enchantment a la trolls, wilderness and mystical dreams. Kind of refreshing. Reminds me somewhat of what little I know of the game Dungeons and Dragons. Song titles like "A Calling of Arms", "The Alchemist" and "Lair of the Wendol" may give you the same impression, too. Even before I got my hands on this, I had heard Somnus' "Season in the Abyss" tribute to Slayer on Dwell Records, Gateway to Hell. Soft keyboards haunt tracks on Awakening the Crown. Vocals are gruff and stressed, but clear and understandable. Interesting arrangements play a big role in Somnus' style and approach. Not that anyone has asked me, but if they did, I might be inclined to mention utilizing the bass a bit more could pound home the objective on some tracks. My personal favorite cut from Awakening the Crown has to be "Beyond the Shores", a wonderful male/female voice volley at times making the song move swimmingly along with evanescent ease. Strong effort!
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Review by Starvox.com
This phenomenal act from Cleveland Ohio are saviours right now. Being completely submerged in music that is very well done yet not as emotionally moving as I prefer, Somnus hit the spot. I first discovered this band when I saw Moonspell perform in Cleveland and I was instantly in awe of their performance. Now, their full-length debut CD is available and the music it is comprised of is so wonderfully diverse in influence and mood that it is sure to please legions of dark music fans.
What I especially like so much about Somnus is their ability to blend atmospheric black metal with somber doom metal. They go from one end of the spectrum to the other and create memorable, powerful, and emotional music. With a mediaeval theme of war, chivalry, and dark romantic fantasy, Somnus have the ability to transport the listener to distant realms of forgotten beauty and terror, but sans the D & D chessiness. They spirit us to these lands upon dreamy waves of melancholic guitar harmonies, and crunchy rhythms full and intense in sound. Vocally, the band is responsible for raspy daemonic screeches as well as spoken dialogue from vocalist/guitarist Scott Hillberg, while Rhiannon balances out the mix with angelic back-up vocals and epic orchestral keyboards. Even the drums are integral to setting the mood; there are fast, galloping rhythms and blast beats as well as plodding dirges with militant drum marches, cascading toms, and grinding double bass fills accented with slow snapping snare beats. Very reminscent of early My Dying Bride and darker, gruff vocalled doom metal.
There are several standout tracks, as basically every song has something to offer. The opening track is a grand example of their signature black/power metal attack that leads to a foreboding doom metal interlude, complete with nice funeral bells and creepy piano. Forever The Serpent opens with an awesome harpsichord intro accented by powerful guitar chords, that soon breaks into a blistering thrashing masterpiece. This song has become a crowd favourite and seems to be many people's favourite cut off the album. Beyond The Shores and Envy Of The Seraph are improved versions of two tracks that appeared on the band's To Return To The Crimson Skies demo cassette. The versions found here are slightly different, mainly in the production but still impressive black/goth metal anthems that should be heard far and wide. The two atmosphere heavy tracks Within and Fulfilling The Throne are great tracks that are reminiscent of early Theatre Of Tragedy in the relationship between the male and female vocals.
Fulfilling The Throne opens with a gorgeous piano melody that is accented by weeping guitars, lush synths, and Rhiannon's sweetest and most powerful vocals. An excellent track and my personal favourite. I do however, have one constructive criticism to make, in regard to Scott's occasional clear vocals. At times, they work very well, mainly at those rare times he sings alongside Rhiannon like this. But I personally think a more reserved, woeful mumble would be more appropriate for the atmosphere. I would suggest a more desolate style of speaking/singing, in the vein of early Celestial Season, My Dying Bride, or Darren White-era Anathema. Just a suggestion.
Otherwise, Somnus are simply astounding in their majesty; they found the perfect balance between aggression and atmosphere and stir the imagination with their musical and lyrical mastery. A band that should and will go far, as long as they continue along the same path they tread so far ahead of so many.
Review by Burn The Sun.com
Doom laden Dark Metal isn't a genre America is known for. Usually, epic orchestrated pagan hymns are best left to our European brothers. Somnus, however, is setting out to change all that. I began listening to this disc with extreme prejudice. My thinking, no way can an American band create majestic harmonies, chaotic atmosphere, and top it off with eerily haunting vocals, but Awakening the Crown is a quiet surprise. I say "quiet" because the disc doesn't immediately smack of greatness. Somnus steadily holds its course over the pace of 10 songs, plotting, planning, and executing with depth and thought. Keyboards play a large role, but in a turn that brings in a touch of originality, keyboardist Rhiannon uses a piano tone occasionally ("Beyond the Shores"), avoiding the kind of purely atmospheric background soundscapes Black Metal keyboards seem to establish these days. The band isn't afraid to slow the songs down either. "Unfulfilled Prophecy" blasted out of my speakers like something from the north: fast riffing, Black Metal vocals, the works. But the band soon slowed things down, almost to a grinding halt. For each part Scandinavian Black Metal, add in some Doom Metal a la old My Dying Bride or old Paradise Lost. It's to Somnus' credit that it can keep the listener engaged during the slower, quiet parts. This is due in part to Scott Hilberg's varying vocal style, the inclusion of female vocals, and a damn near delicate sense of pace, giving each song the structure it needs to grow but avoiding becoming droning or boring. We're not talking about anything groundbreaking here, but Awakening the Crown proves that American Metal is far from dead in the water while providing an entertaining listen. And that's something fewer and fewer American bands can claim these days. Standout tracks: Unfulfilled Prophecy, Beyond the Shores
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Now this is pretty cool. SOMNUS is a very melodic dark metal band out of Cleveland (who'd a thunk it?) who shows signs of massive creativity. It isn't all realized yet as there's no HOLY SHIT THIS SONG IS GREAT here, but the basic ideas and sounds are. I don't know whether the lyrical concepts are pagan, mythological, or fantasy, but any way you look at it just my confusion there should let you know where they're coming from, no? The music itself has a very heavy keyboard presence (supplied by resident cutey Rhiannon, who if I'm not mistaken did the female vocals for the AVERNUS album) and again, this is very melodic. Not that means it is wimpy, mind you, as this has the growled vocals and some blasting parts and downright nasty bits. but overall this is quite a breath of fresh air in the US scene for some straighforward melodic underground styled metal.
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Review by the Zeitgeist
Early on you get the impression that you're heading off into generic black metal territory as there's not much in the opening of "Unfulfilled Prophecy" to make you think otherwise. But when track 2 arrives and it's a mellow, brief, instrumental you quickly realize that Somnus have more than one string to their bow.
And from then on in things start to get interesting. "The Alchemist" has an almost jazz rock structure, greater use is made of the keyboards and vocals of Rhiannon, and there's a textured quality missing from many genre releases. Thematically built around paganistic and mythological themes, Somnus manage to ally melody to brutality in equal doses. The standout track is probably "Forever The Serpent" with its kiddywink intro before launching into a brutal, punishing riff. Overall, a REMARKABLY good album that breathes life into a somewhat tired genre.
Brilliant melodic blackened doom!! Medieval atmosphere of another time is captured superbly. They are unlike any other band in their presentation of combining their majestic songwriting, melodic eptitude/vocal capabilities and sense of the way of times of old!! This is just pure magnificent metal splendor!!
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"Seasons in the Abyss" from Gateway To Hell - A Tribute To Slayer Review by Promethean Crusade
Yes, it's another Slayer tribute album composed completely of death & black metal bands (what, does this make the 4th or 5th one?) Anyway, rather than bore you to death with the gory details of each band's performance, I'll stick to clueing you in on the key tracks that stuck out in my mind. Aurora Borealis gives us a blindingly fast "Altar Of Sacrifice," which makes me think that this is how Slayer had originally intended to record it, that is if they could play that fast! The only true gem on this disc is Cleveland, Ohio's Somnus, who have actually improved upon "Season's In The Abyss" by turning it into an evil, Satanic incantation, more so than Type O Negative's take on "Black Sabbath"! So, buy Black Sun Records' Slatanic Slaughter II only if you feel you can live without hearing the kickass Somnus & Aurora Borealis tracks! Mark Morton, Promethean Crusade Magazine, 119 King Street, Pottstown, PA 19464 USA , 610-326-3286
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96/100 Its been a long time since I've heard from someone living in the god forsaken place called Cleveland but thats exactly where Somnus prevails from. Two things really caught my eye before I even listened to the tape. First the artwork was really cool and second so was the packaging. Very professional. The music of Somnus is atmospheric death/doom metal not unlike their European counterparts. The production of the drums was a little weak but honestly thats my only real complaint. Envy of the Seraph is a great track and Beyond The Shores is good as well. Outstanding effort that should garner them some label interest.
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This melodic doom/death band comes from Ohio. This 5 song cassette consists of an intro, outro and 3 songs. It's an impressive first release. The production is of decent quality and the packaging is nice, with lyrics included. I am not an expert on the genre, but I've been told there is a similarity to CRADLE OF FILTH.
After the intro "Empire of Engara" which consits of some haunting, darkly beautiful keyboards we have "Beyond the Shores". The sound is very doomy and melodic. Piano combines with guitar to produce some heavy, melodic, slow riffs which remind me of some of the melodic doom bands like SOLITUDE AETURNUS. The vocalist is of the screechy death variety, not really my style, but he should appeal to fans of the death metal sound as he is intelligible and sounds pretty good. This overall sound continues with "Envy of the Seraph" and "To Return the Crimson Skies". They mix in some female vocals (done by the keyboardist) in parts which sounds very good. More of these duets would be welcome a'la THEATRE OF TRAGEDY. The lyrics are good, intelligent and ethereal. The band, while staying pretty doomy, always varies tempos enough to keep from becoming boring, a trait that many other doom bands seem to lack. The keyboards add lots of melody, temporing and enhancing the crunching riffs. The lead guitar is a little sparse, more would be welcome.
This first taste of this band makes me wish I tolerated death bands more. There are obviously many bands of this ilk dishing out quality music with nice melodies. For those who are fans of this genre, this should definitely please you.
Review by the French Connection
The demo starts with a good intro played on keyboards. It installs a disturbing climate. Then, it builds slowly still with keyboards which are largerly used in Somnus music. The music raises & raises powerfully. Somnus plays a kind of melodic dark metal where female vocals & male ones are blended in quite equal proportion. With a very good presentation & a sound which is correct for a demo, Somnus appears like a very interesting band that prefers to play a more subtle music than the main dark/black metal bands. Even if it's still extreme & underground, it turns to be more original. More, Somnus' music is enriched by real lead guitars parts with harmonies. It's something which brings a lot to a music when you want to express more emotion. Played at a mid tempos (except for some parts like in "Beyond the Shores"), Somnus succeeds in finding basis to a real personality. So, the 5 tracks of this demo deliver good potential & maybe a real discovery for those that like good dark metal. The new tracks on the 1998 Promo seem to prove that Somnus is really on the way to asserting itself in the metal scene. The sound is quite better uses more melodic vocal lines for the 2nd singer, with excellent riffs & arrangements. Here is another band that can probably find a good deal to present its music worldwide.
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Lost Disciple Records' premier volume of the "Visionaries of the Macabre" compilation series features approximately 74 minutes of music from 15 diverse bands, spanning virtually the entire spectrum of extreme Metal styles. The vast majority of these tracks are rare or previously unreleased. One of my favorite selections is Somnus' "Silent Reverence", a Black/Death/Doom Metal piece infused with such elements as somber female vocals and melodic guitars, stringed instruments, and piano. This first volume of "Visionaries of the Macabre" is a very well put together collection of extreme Metal bands and styles. I honestly have to say that this is the best label released compilation I've heard. NINE BITES ON THE NECK!!!
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