### Oddland: The treachery of senses

#### 26/06/13 || Cobal

Lemme state this from the beginning: I stand impressed. Forever.

As reckoned by former staffer Wooderson when covering their demo, Oddland are a band to keep your eyes —both— fixed upon. Their one and only full-lenght work proves that clearly.

It’s hard to review an album that virtually has it all, and doing it without being seen as an ass-licker or something is even harder, so I’ll keep it short.

Oddland play a unique mix of progressive metal that if you ask me, sounds like Meshuggah meets Opeth gone high. Very high.

Regardless these guys assumed influences and the humble opinion of this staffer, something that stands out on this album is the flawless, bright production. No wonder one can actually listen to everything that’s happening! It’s true, I’m normally not interested in how true, modern, overproduced or balanced the final mix is, but in this case I can only say it sounds perfect. Just perfect.

Damn it, everything here is! Jazzy guitar and bass lines of infinite detail, sweet yet powerful male vocals singing spiritually themed lyrics, accurate drums playing and moderate keyboards arrangements are available and hot. There’s of course more, but I’ll let you, dear reader, discover it by yourself.

Besides the genius instrumentation and songwriting, vocals are definitely a highlight in Oddland’s sound. Sakari Ojanen has an incredibly potent and well-tuned voice, and his lines are completely progressive rock-oriented. That, plus his unique tone make his songs unmistakable. Don’t worry, he also knows how to go aggressive when required.

Now this is not and album for the lovers of the old school. That’s perhaps the only con I can find here, you know, being and old fart and all. To be able to appreciate it, you need to value “The treachery of senses” for what it is: a fine effort of progressive heavy music, that is.

The only question that remains is: How come I hadn’t heard a word from it having been released exactly a year ago? And the only possible answer is: Metal press is going deaf —they’ve always been stupid—.

Normally, I won’t decide the grade I’m giving to an album ‘til I’ve finished writing its review and read it a couple times. Not this time. Told ya I’d keep it short. Cheers.

- Information
- Released: 2012
- Label: Century Media Records
- Website: www.oddland.com
- Band
- Sakari Ojanen: vocals, guitars
- Jussi Poikonen: guitars
- Joni Palmorth: bass
- Ville Viitanen: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Above and Beyond
- 02. Flooding Light
- 03. In the Eyes of the Mourning
- 04. Aisle of Array
- 05. Past the Gates
- 06. Still the Spirits Stay
- 07. In Endless Endeavour
- 08. Sewers
- 09. Lines of Silver Blood
- 10. Ire