Insomnium – Netherworlds

Written by on 14-10-2026 at 23:39.

For more than a quarter of a century, Insomnium have mastered the art of combining unbridled intensity with profound melancholy. Harsh growls and heavy riffs flow seamlessly into sweeping guitar melodies, extended melodic lines and restrained, atmospheric passages. That distinctive blend runs like a thread through the nine previous studio albums the Finns have released to date. With Netherworlds, the five-piece reach a significant milestone: the tenth album in their discography. Can Insomnium once again move the listener with their characteristic interplay of melody, heaviness and Nordic melancholy?

At Netherworlds, melody remains Insomnium’s most powerful weapon. The layered guitar parts sound melancholic and compelling, yet the heavy riffs and harsh vocals give them enough weight to prevent them from ever becoming overly sweet. Still, the Finns do not remain entirely on familiar ground. Progressive accents and a broader use of clean vocals introduce new nuances. On tracks such as The Hour Grows Late and Ethereal Sleep, Markus Vanhala, Ville Friman and new band member Tomy Laisto provide various clean vocal passages, adding noticeable colour and variety to the vocal palette. The album even contains a cover: opener The Cold Song, a rendition of Henry Purcell’s centuries-old composition from the 1691 semi-opera King Arthur, proves to be an inspired way to open the gates to Netherworlds.

For their tenth album, Insomnium consciously reconnect with the Nordic melancholy, sweeping guitar melodies and intense sense of longing that define their sound. On Netherworlds, layered guitar parts and the natural interplay between restraint and power once again form the musical foundation. The longer compositions, such as The Hour Grows Late, Arch of the Sky, Ethereal Sleep, The Banished and Journey’s End, give the melodies ample room to unfold and develop gradually. The eight-minute-plus The Hour Grows Late, for instance, is packed with shifts in tempo and atmosphere, while a recurring melodic line binds its different sections into a coherent and intriguing whole. Guest appearances by Amorphis members Tomi Joutsen, Tomi Koivusaari and Santeri Kallio add even more dynamism. And what about that playful, almost pinball-like synthesizer solo from Amorphis keyboardist Santeri Kallio that suddenly appears shortly after the five-minute mark? It is precisely such unexpected details that keep your attention firmly fixed. The melancholy-soaked Ethereal Sleep also deserves special mention, particularly for the recurring keyboard melody that lends the song considerable emotional weight. Then there is Journey’s End, on which Insomnium may reveal their most surprising side. In a restrained and moving manner, the band guide you through a mystical narrative that culminates in an impressive and affecting finale. Such a fitting conclusion to an intriguing album.

And yet… listeners primarily seeking innovation may find themselves somewhat disappointed by Netherworlds. Insomnium remain firmly committed to their characteristic interplay of melancholic melodies, powerful eruptions and subdued passages, while the progressive accents and broader use of clean vocals only cautiously expand the existing foundation. As a result, the album does not always offer many surprises, but it never sounds as though the Finns are simply repeating past successes. That immediate recognisability is, in fact, one of their greatest strengths. Listen to just a few seconds of the accessible Shadowlife (such an infectious chorus!), the compelling Arch of the Sky or the more ferocious The Banished, and you instantly know which band you are listening to. The wistful guitar melodies, harsh growls and heavy riffs all bear the unmistakable stamp of a band that has developed a strong musical identity over the years. Insomnium do not need to reinvent their sound with every album, as long as they continue to offer memorable melodies, sufficient variety and emotional depth within that recognisable framework. And that is precisely what the five-piece achieve once again on Netherworlds.

Although Insomnium remain true to their characteristic style on Netherworlds, the band never give the impression that they are merely repeating past successes. After all, recognisability is a quality that is often underestimated: what is wrong with a band sounding unmistakably like itself, safeguarding its musical identity and still leaving room for new elements? Netherworlds delivers exactly what you would expect from the Finns, while adding enough subtle innovation to keep the familiar sound fresh and convincing. Fans know what to do: go and buy it!

Score:

88/100

Label:

Century Media Records, 2026

Tracklisting:

  1. The Cold Song
  2. Shadowlife
  3. Remembrance
  4. Gleam in the Black
  5. The Hour Grows Late
  6. Arch of the Sky
  7. Pathways of the Night
  8. Ethereal Sleep
  9. The Banished
  10. Journey’s End

Line-up:

  • Niilo Sevänen – Vocals, bassguitaar
  • Markus Vanhala – Guitar, clean vocals
  • Ville Friman – Guitar, clean vocals
  • Tomy Laisto – Guitar, clean vocals
  • Markus Hirvonen – Drums, percussion

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