Author: Rok Klemše
Artist: In Vain
Label: Indie Recordings
Release: 2007
Every now and then a band comes along that’s impossible to pin down across the many genres of metal. Bands often choose that path just for the sake of standing out, being different, wanting to distinguish themselves from the crowd of bands in a given genre. One such outfit is the practically fresh-out-of-the-oven Norwegian quartet In Vain. Plenty of bands can be accused of deliberately toying and experimenting with different genres, and on top of that, only a few actually pull off a really good blend… In Vain are the complete opposite of all that, and perfect proof that fresh, original bands can still be expected in a metal scene that’s already been done to death in so many areas. Even though pigeonholing is an incredibly thankless job, let me try to slot In Vain into a genre anyway… uhh… genres. Yep, In Vain touch on practically every major strand of metal – on The Latter Rain you’ll hear everything from progressive-tinged pure death and black metal, heavy metal, gothic and doom metal, emotionally charged atmospheric parts, and even the occasional dark “pop” moments in the style of Nick Cave.
Sounds forced, but don’t worry: The Latter Rain flows so smoothly and naturally, and the genres are so incredibly well matched, that absolutely everything is exactly where it should be, and over the record’s good hour there’s nothing left to do but spin this complex masterpiece again… and again… and again…
In Vain, formed in 2003, already made fans and music critics prick up their ears with the Wounds EP (2005). With The Latter Rain, they’ve managed to live up to those high expectations. Almost 20 musicians guest on the record, and the ones worth singling out are vocalists Jan K. Transeth (In The Woods) and Kjetel Nordhus (Trail of Tears and Green Carnation). Vocally, then, the record is very strong; the switching between Frigstad’s brutal black metal vocals and the excellent clean vocals is fantastic and creates a special atmosphere. The instrumentally brilliant compositions from the pen of main songwriter, guitarist Haaland, are mighty and complex, yet incredibly catchy and melodic, and packed to the brim with sharp, excellent riffs and amazing passages. At moments The Latter Rain recalls the best moments of Swedish champions Opeth, but In Vain are nowhere near resorting to cheap copying.
On The Latter Rain, In Vain even use instruments that are almost unheard of in metal. Special attention has to go to the saxophone and the cello, which only show up every now and then, but when you do hear them, In Vain use them to create something gorgeous and so tasty that you’d happily spread it on your bread. In the record’s 65 minutes it’s impossible to find a single bad moment, and the songs, averaging 6, 7, even 8 minutes, are structured so well that any hint of boredom is nipped in the bud. Usually, when reviewing records by new bands, you compare the music to similar bands, list influences and so on. With In Vain that’s totally unnecessary and actually impossible. The Latter Rain is a record that simply has to be on your shelf, because it doesn’t happen all that often that such a good piece of work sees the light of day. Singling out individual tracks is pointless too, since each one is truly better than the last.
The Latter Rain is a record that offers new surprises with every repeated listen, and still-undiscovered nooks of the broad sonic landscape In Vain have on offer. Finger-lickin’ good, all twenty fingers of it! The Latter Rain is a bold release, and that boldness pays off on every front, and In Vain are the metal band of the future!
Lineup
A. Frigstad: vocals
J. Haaland: guitar, programming
S. Nedland: clean vocals, piano, organ
E. Fuglestad: guitar
GUEST MUSICIANS:
Kristian Wikstřl: bass guitar, vocals
Glenn Vorhaug: saxophone
Simon Andersen: cello
Jan K. Transeth: vocals
Kjetel Nordhus: vocals
Production
In vain
Tracklist
1. The Latter Rain 01:45
2. In the Midnight Hour 09:41
3. Det Rakner! 08:27
4. October´s Monody 06:33
5. Their Spirits Ride with the Wind 08:47
6. I Total Triumf 06:04
7. The Titan 07:09
8. As I Wither 07:39
9. Morning Sun 02:20
10. Sorgenfri 06:33
