by Prog Nick
It is rare that a debut album, especially one by very young musicians, sounds fully polished, mature and accomplished. But Royal Sorrow, a group of young Proggers from Finland, have achieved just that. Despite their youth, this band have been honing their craft for many years. They started early, sought perfection before they released their first offering and chose to wait patiently until it was faultless. The eventual result is a debut album that will, for many listeners, indeed sound just right, if not perfect.
Royal Sorrow was formed in Finland by close childhood friends Markus Hentunen (vocals and guitars), Eero Maijala (Bass) and Janne Mieskonen (drums), together with guitarist Juha Rapanen (now departed). Influenced by bands like VOLA, Sleep Token, Leprous and TesseracT, the band’s genre may safely be described as Prog-metal, and they are good at it – very good. One listen immediately makes it clear that whatever this band lacks in age, it more than makes up for in skill, passion and sheer talent.
But while the ‘Prog-metal’ tag may be appropriate, it is also important to note that Royal Sorrow do not sound quite like any other band in the genre. The required aggression and edge are there, but there is also an element of individual melody, versatile vocals and thoughtful arrangement that makes this band sound quite unique – at least to my ears. There is an indefinable but clear sound to Royal Sorrow that is eminently unpredictable and different.
The album comprises ten short songs that are very dense and complex. Much is packed into these songs (none of which exceeds 6 minutes), and despite the brevity of the tracks, there is most definitely an epic feel to almost all of them. These are ten attacking forays of concise but powerful Prog-metal with varied vocal delivery and, in some places, even a catchy pop feel. To highlight just a few:
The first single, released almost a year ago, ‘Metrograve,’ has been described by the band as their ‘mission statement’ and immediately impresses with its razor-sharp technicality and catchy chorus. It is therefore a good track to use as an introduction. ‘Samsara’ is another interesting song with a cutting low-end rhythm pattern set under an effortless melodic vocal from Hentunen. Rapanen provides a great lead guitar solo. The song speaks of a ‘life in monochrome’ but it may as well be a Technicolor movie soundtrack about the cosmic travails of a Prog-metal genius.
‘Release Your Shadow’ has a gripping hook, set around insane kick drum patterns from Mieskonen that are (as in many tracks) defiant of analysis. He is a great drummer. The chorus on this one in particular is a standout on the album. Meanwhile, ‘Bloodflower’ is a complex composition with a sinister atmosphere about something that is beautiful but consuming (much like parts of this album.) The song is heavy and driving, but then suddenly features a guitar solo that captivates the listener on a different level completely.
Speaking of guitars, ‘Evergreen’ features excellent guitar, bass and keyboard work from Maijala, Hentunen and Rapanen. It is an elaborate but measured performance with an audible balance that shows their musical maturity. ‘Survival Complex’ then proceeds to show the band’s more aggressive side by way of immediate contrast – this is one for the moshpit.
‘Looking Glass’ returns us to the more melodic. The track swells toward one of the most powerful climaxes on the album, highlighted by a remarkable vocal delivery from Hentunen – arguably the most heartfelt on the record.. ‘Give In’, on the other hand, has a guitar riff that sounds like a hive of furious attacking bees – and their poor victim has given in. The vocals on this one are a little too aggressive for my particular taste, but they certainly provide the desired effect. The album perfectly closes on what is also my favorite song on the album, the title track ‘Innerdeeps,’ a melodic and soaring, but powerful number power that would be best used to showcase this fine band.
The album’s songwriting is diverse yet direct, capturing a broad range of emotions that stretch from raw intensity to delicate fragility. Its rhythms are sharp and precise, the arrangements layered and meticulous, and the lyrics explore weighty, thought-provoking themes that feel far beyond the band’s years.
I have always leaned more to the melodic side of things than to the metallic, and growling vocals tend to alienate me from some music. But that is absolutely not the case here – this album, heavy as it is, has captured and rapt my attention. Sinister vocals and granite-like guitars are used cleverly and selectively enough not to be frustrating to those who prefer a more melodic approach. This album is the best of both worlds – unusually varied in its attack, concise yet dense, ferocious yet melodic, and intricate yet catchy.
These guys can play, and it is true to say that this album could not really have been refined or edited any further. It is one of those rare examples of a well-prepared and tasteful debut that is heavy and adventurous. Expect metal mayhem, pop proclivity, and a technical tapestry that effortlessly combine into a very high-quality debut release, deserving of your attention. It is opportune that Royal Sorrow waited so long to sign their record deal. These musicians may be young, but their music is more than ready to be heard.
Released on September 26th, 2025 on InsideOutMusic
https://royalsorrow.lnk.to/Innerdeeps-Album
Tracklisting:
1. Let Go
2. Metrograve
3. Samsara
4. Release Your Shadow
5. Evergreen
6. Survival Complex
7. Bloodflower
8. Looking Glass
9. Give In
10. Innerdeeps
