The fifth release (hence the V in the title) from Finland's pride and joy finds them composing two lengthy passages of epic metal. Yes, this IS almost an hour of music, so don't bother looking at your watch. Also, make sure you have a clear schedule before you listen to it, because the deep sleep coma that "V: Havitetty" will send you into will foil any plans you had for the day. This stuff is better than two bottles of Nyquil.

With a whole hour to play with, the band takes its time in getting going. And when they DO get going, everything stays at the same level, never really building up to anything particularly memorable. Aside from a brief sojourn into blast beats at almost the twenty minute mark of track one and thirteen minutes into track two, the band rarely ventures out from their mind-numbing, mid-tempo crawl. As expected, there are tons of folky, acoustic guitar laden breakdowns. How else are you gonna eat up an hour? The musicianship is tight, and the production is flawless, but the cookie-monster style vocals seem ill-suited throughout much of this disc. When the Gregorian chants start nine minutes into track two, it comes as a welcome break from all the razor-blade gargling that was going on before.

The marketing wing of Spinefarm Records totally dropped the ball by not including a MOONSORROW alarm clock with each purchase. That way, no one will be late for work. At least insomniacs now have a prescription-free cure for all their ills.

- Broadbent

OFFICIAL SITE: www.moonsorrow.com

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