From the prominent vocals of Mikko Kotamäki which implemented soulful clean vocals to the refined guitar melodies of Juha Raivio and Juho Räihä, STS’ music evolved into the niche that seems to focus on emotional melodrama. The ninth studio album “Shining” mixes all the elements and components of their recent works; be it the gloomy atmosphere of the lead guitars, or the vibrant bass of Matti Honkonen, STS‘ moody but melodic fusion is characterized by the fine drumming of Juuso Raatikainen.

The shifting tides of heaviness and atmosphere personify the opening track “Innocence Was Long Forgotten” a beautiful song combining rhythmic melodies that show signs of musical maturity.

However, “What I Have Become” is a stellar cut featuring the somber growls of Mikko Kotamäki, it starts with heavy drumming and thundering riffs conjuring a sullen atmosphere that slowly moves to melodic tinged gothic doom. In terms of songwriting, the album offers sentimental songs and despite maintaining the mournful atmosphere from start to finish, the musicianship is diversified.

The sorrowful guitar work in “MelancHoly” is truly catchy. The rhythm section keeps a slow cadence with the pace of the drums, and the flickering keyboards being sprinkled occasionally add more atmospheric depth. The subtle mixture of modern gothic and doom metal in “Under the Moon & the Sun” which is the highlight creates a truly awe-inspiring soundscape.

While the songs are mostly slow, there are some pleasing surprises in how the guitars weave beautiful melodies through the emotional passages. The guitar work immerses you in melodramatic arrangements; the vocal performances are breathtaking and full of hooks. Thus “Shining” achieves hypnotic and melancholic elements with a strong blend of the heavier riffs to provide a vibrant and powerful sound.

STS has paid its dues to the old fans with tracks like “Kold” which fuses dark riffs, and the bleak growls have as much of a binding effect as the thundering guitar tone ebbing and flowing. The slow passages retain the solemn doomy trademark that was ever known to STS fans, and one can notice a paradigm shift in the riffing.

Each song from “November Dust” to “Shining” is filled with solemn grim litanies played in the gloomy style of gothic doom riffs, punctuated by the grandiosity of the guitars.

The vocal tone reminds me of Aaron Stainthorpe (My Dying Bride). Even the dark brooding piano instills majesty and grand solemnity with the emotional performances taking center stage and providing a dramatic ending.

The ninth album is very much STS at its prime and dedication, with more refinement and gracefulness surrounding the composition and the pacing; the melodies and other instruments like the piano merge perfectly into songs like “Velvet Chains” and maintain a slower pace than the previous ones; female vocals are featured in a duet and the two sound like a pair of elegant heavenly souls bringing a graceful melody.

The electronic elements add an extra spectrum to the album and are used in “Tonight Pain Believes”. The keyboards set a heart-wrenching melody leading to one of the heavier cuts in the album “Charcoal Sky” which moves more into heaviness with the guttural growls and the tremolo-picked riffs channeling some epic wintry black metal, the use of clean vocals may not be suited however the pounding drums and subtle keys make it yet another highlight.

The almost ninth-minute eponymous track packs in some crushing heaviness and sorrowful gothic atmosphere, the perfectly encased elements like the strings, lead guitars, and the growls of Mikko Kotamäki induce a sorrowful and joyful mood altogether. The track also contains some ambient landscapes offering something dramatic and especially the slow passages and the double bass provide a grand closure for the ninth album.

Links