Album Review: Vanha – Melancholia (Black Lion Records)

Swedish doom/death dealer Vanha return with a new album entitled ‘Melancholia’, the follow-up to their incredible debut, Within the Mist of Sorrow. The band has again teamed up with Black Lion Records for the release of this album. Melancholia will see its worldwide release on digipak CD and digitally this December 30, 2018.

All the work of one man (Jan Johansson of the band Frostvang), Melancholia is 6 tracks of mournful melody and bleak metal. The Road twists and turns through both elements delivering a truly darkness covered track of horrible beauty. The crushing bleakness of the melody fits perfectly alongside the guttural growls which is exemplified on Storm of Grief and Starless Sleep.

The emotive passages are soul-sucking in just how dour and mournful they are while the growls and heavier segments weigh you down. It is wondrous stuff though and the likes of Your Heart In My Hands will remain with you long afterwards.

It’s not a short album though so there is a risk of it losing impact the further it goes on but thankfully Vanha change things up for Fade Away. A track that layers on a doomy and echoing rhythm with a violin cutting through with sharpness. It’s a masterclass in how to bring metal with heart and feeling to the masses.

Wrapping up with the uncompromising melodic melancholy of The Sorrowful, a track that will leave many in as dour and pensive mood even if it is very satisfying.

Vanha – Melancholia Full Track Listing:

1. The Road
2. Storm Of Grief
3. Starless Sleep
4. Your Heart In My Hands
5. Fade Away
6. The Sorrowful

You can order the album via Bandcamp and find out more about Vanha on Facebook.