Wednesday, March 22, 2006

End Of You - "Unreal" (Spinefarm)

Following on from their stunning, self-released debut EP, End Of You return with this, their first full-length record for Spinefarm Records.

Melodic, evocative, emotional, romantic, dark, achingly beautiful, and atmospheric. All these words could describe End Of You's sound. Firmly in the Gothic Rock genre, the band have some of the trademark elements that are audible in all those bands. But, unlike others in the growing scene, End Of You are more sedate, preferring sweeping atmospherics to bombast.

They are not somnambulent, though. Some people might find Jami Pietilä's vocals a little droning, but if you listen, you'll hear that he pours a huge amount of emotion into his deeper singing. This is helped across by the perfect production - the sound is crisp, clean and pitch perfect. This was a given, though, as Spinefarm rarely hold back on production standards.
Similarities can be easily drawn between End Of You and Depeche Mode, who utilised many of the same effects and styles. This is no bad thing, though, as End Of You have brought the electronic Gothic Rock scene into modern times, infusing it with greater emotion and drive than any of their predecessors. Yes, there are comparisons to be drawn with Entwine and Charon, but End Of You is much more of an atmospheric band than rock band.
Stand-out tracks are: "Walking With No One", "Upside Down", and "Liar". (Though really, they're all good.)

Beautifully dark and sad, this album is perfect for the long, cold, winter nights.

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