It’s been three years since melodic death metal act Horizon Ignited announced themselves with their independently released 2019 debut After the Storm. Now, with the ink barely dry on a record deal signed in March, the Finnish sextet return with a fully-fledged follow-up Towards the Dying Lands (Nuclear Blast).

Formed in 2017, Horizon Ignited’s punchy brand of metalcore flavoured melodeath isn’t too dissimilar to the Gothenberg sound of the late nineties combined with the melancholia of fellow Finns Insomnium and Amorphis. Covering cheery subjects such as suicide, depression and religion, the band counter aggression with gloom, and ferocity with melody. Songs like opener ‘Beyond Your Reach’ and the faster, more aggressive tendencies of ‘Servant’ and ‘End of the Line’ are driven by melodic riffs, a thunderous rhythm section and the varied approach of talented frontman Okko Solanterä who effortlessly switches between low end roars, higher pitched snarls, and smoothly emotive clean tones.

Fiercely melodic cuts like ‘Guiding Light’, ‘Reveries’ and ‘Death Has Left Her Side’ all feature sterling work from axemen Johannes Mäkinen and Vili Vottonen while the seething melancholy of the mighty ‘Aching Wings’ finds Solanterä delivering arguably the best vocal performance on the album. A record of many highlights, the title track stands out as the most serious attention grabber, Solanterä’s clean vocals edging into the spotlight as the song is driven by a sequence of fist-pumping riffs, catchy melodies and a fine solo from Insomnium and Omnium Gatherum guitarist Markus Vanhala. Moody penultimate track ‘Fall Apart’ isn’t disappointing by any stretch but is simply eclipsed by ‘Eventide Of Abysmal Grief’, the mighty closing track ending the record on a soaring high as drummer Jiri Vanhatalo and new bassist Jukka Haarala show their strength.

As well as a number of contagious hooks and clean sung choruses, the album also boasts a bright, dynamic production, highly effective contributions from keyboard player Miska Ek, and a general and obvious enthusiasm from everyone involved. Although clearly influenced by acts like Dark Tranquillity, Horizon Ignited already possess a clearly defined sound of their own and Towards the Dying Lands will undoubtedly go a long way to pushing them towards bigger things.

Buy the album here: https://bfan.link/HorizonIgnitedTTDL

8 / 10

GARY ALCOCK