With just two albums under their belt, I feel it is safe to say that the Finnish band Ghost Brigade is still finding who they are. Isolation Songs sees them crossing borders, bringing melodic death into contact with doom and gloom goth stylings. It is a progressive mix that generally works very well; unfortunately, the album is held back by a feeling of sameness. There is not an awful lot of variety across the board to differentiate the various songs. I suspect Ghost Brigade is going to continue to improve, it is apparent throughout Isolation Songs that they have the talent, the passion, and the drive to deliver a unique musical experience. They are on the cusp of genuine excellence.
This sophomore release is a great experience as a whole work, the sum is definitely greater than its parts. They shift from heavy, sludge filled riffs that could grind bone to powder to soft, melodic passages with ease. It is at times a hypnotic work. While I could not generally tell one song from another, pressing play and letting it run seems to be more than enough. Flowing from one song to another, the solid wall of music, it is hard not to get swept up in it.
In the midst of this flow, there is a song that stands out, believe it or not, the instrumental "22:22 - Nihil," an instrumental that feels like a terribly morose dirge. The track is the centerpiece of Isolation Songs, sitting very near the mid-point of the album, cementing the trance like state that it casts over the listener.
Ghost Brigade have a lot of passion in their music. The best thing about that passion is that it feels like a natural extension of the song. I mention this because I have heard some bands who seem "passionate" about the music that ends up feeling forced and unconvincing. These guys are the real deal, if they can only take the next step, perhaps experiment a little more, maybe mix up the arrangements a little more. In short, take a few chances.
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