Finland, nihilism from the north

Jerry Hoffman

Finland has become a hotbed of musical diversity. You have dark rock acts like
Sentenced and The Black League, circus metallers Children Of Bodom, the bludgeoning
doom of Rapture and goth rockers Entwine.

Children Of Bodom aside, the entire scene embodies a very dark undertone. The
music is steeped in depression, self loathing and nihilism. Could this be from
the climate, a socially contracted sickness or merely a fascination with the darker
side of life?

What ever the case, the Fins seem to have a knack for music of depravity. Relative
newcomers Entwine have used this to create something unique with their latest
album ,“Gone.”

Goth rock isn’t really a very accurate term for Entwine. Their niche falls
somewhere between doom and straight rock. “Gone” is filled with heavy
guitars, flowing keyboards and soaring vocals.

New vocalist Mika Tauriainen has added a whole new dimension to Entwine. His confident
catchy vocals bring the music into a different realm.

The chorus on tracks like “Snow White Suicide” and “New Dawn”
show Entwine’s potential of cross genre accessibility. But they still stick
to their metal guns enough to keep a heavy edge to their relatively somber style.

Entwine could be linked into the Katatonia, Paradise Lost and Anathema schools,
while also pulling vocal inspiration from Brit pop and 80s new wave acts.

This brand of metal could dispel the myth of the mullet clad, sex obsessed, low
brow heavy metal misconception that plagues mainstream media. Entwine play to
both sides without sacrificing their musical integrity.

Maybe metal could be recognized for bands like Entwine and Anathema, that actually
have something to offer instead of media whores like Godsmack and Staind.