One Without - Thoughts of a Secluded Mind

October 16, 2009

Reviewer: Peter

In the often overdone world of melodic death metal, there are very few bands that truly stand out.  In just about every case, those that stand out are the bands that are credited with originating the sound, bands such as Dark Tranquillity, In Flames (before Reroute to Remain), and to a lesser extent, Sentenced.  Like many of the other “flavor of the month” music genres that dominate a certain time period, melodic death metal has many bands that often have no real identity.  So, it should come as no surprise that a new band from Sweden tries their hand at melodic death metal, this time in the form of One Without.

Before the jokes about the band’s moniker fly in, it should be noted that One Without is a melodic death metal band with female vocals.  However, the vocals aren’t necessarily what one would expect from a melodic death metal band.  While their debut album Thoughts of a Secluded Mind proves that point, it doesn’t save the overall blandness that permeates the album.

One Without is fronted by Catrin Feymark and although she doesn’t show much range, her vocals are actually pretty good, considering the style of music that the band plays.  Unfortunately, that’s about the only thing that really stands out about the band.  The music, as a whole, is rather bland and doesn’t show much depth or range.  Apart from the guitar solos on “Withered Serenade” and “Distance Between,” and even those are okay, at best, there just isn’t any real way of telling the songs apart from one another.  The only other thing that really stands out on the album is the mechanical piano outro on “Chained,” which pretty much sums up the band’s sound: by the book and borderline derivative.  It also doesn’t help that the male growls barely register above a whisper.

Thoughts of a Secluded Mind had actually been sitting around forever, as I had pretty much forgotten that I had this to review.  After finally getting through the album, it was pretty evident why that was: there just isn’t anything that suggests One Without is worth a listen.  Decent vocals can only get a band so far, there has to be decent music, as well that can grab the listener.  Perhaps it’s time for One Without to come up with ideas outside of their comfort zone.  Until then, file this one under “O” and leave it in the bin.

Release Date: September 29, 2009
Label: Lifeforce Records

TRACK LISTING

1.   Farewell
2.  Your Game
3.  Before We All
4.  Separation
5.  Withered Serenade
6.   Reign with Hate
7.  Ignorance
8.  Distance Between
9.  Reachable Existence
10.  Once in Silence
11.  Lost to Solitude
12.  Chained

Total playing time: 55:08

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