This is the ninth album from Finnish melodic death/doom band Hanging Garden.
Isle of Bliss contains 48 minutes of engaging material. Hanging Garden’s mix of death and doom metal is heavily melodic, carries a Gothic flavour, and has an occasional blackened edge. It makes for a compelling record that should appeal to fans of a blend of bands like Beseech, In Mourning, Insomnium, Katatonia, My Dying Bride, and Paradise Lost.
This is the sort of album that bleeds quality from every pore. You can feel it everywhere; in the vocals, instruments, performances, recording, artwork, songwriting, atmosphere, etc. – all aspects of Isle of Bliss feel on the higher end of what this sort of style is capable of. Hanging Garden have forged a record from quality materials, and the end result is a rewarding and very enjoyable listening experience.
The mix of styles in display – melodic death metal, Gothic doom metal, a touch of black metal – are combined effortlessly well. Each of the songs takes different things from this base pool of influences, making for a more diverse listen than you might be expecting. Within its chosen musical framework, Isle of Bliss manifests multiple strengths that all contribute to the album’s success.
Vocally, it’s a treat. Gothic singing, layered cleans, scathing screams, harsh roars, commanding growls, and more all grace the music at various points, showcasing the range and ability of the two main vocalists. The music itself combines melodic heaviness and atmospheric depth into substantive songs. Delicate textures are sprinkled across the music’s expressive landscape, adding further nuance and interest. As a counterpoint to this, Hanging garden know how to riff when they want to, and the songs are packed with the sort of vocal and melodic hooks that bite deep.
A feast of beauty and darkness, Isle of Bliss is a well-rounded success story.
Very highly recommended.
Wonderbox Metal 