Lines of Leaving – Battle of Humanity

Release date: 20-07-2007, Label: Independent Sounds Oy
By: Nina Mende

The Finnish band “Lines of Leaving” was formed in the end of 2003. The members decided to create a band that would feed its musical hunger from wretchedness and distress of the world and the crimes against humanity. The band doesn’t fit easily into just one genre thus it combines styles from guitar-based rock to punk and heavy metal even to ethnic music, never underestimating   the listener.

Although several Finnish record labels showed interest in the band, they founded their own independent record label called Independent Sounds in January 2007 who released their debut album “Battle for Humanity” in June 2007. Lines of Leaving have two clear and distinguished objects:

1) To make people more aware of the alarming problems that others usually keep quiet about, and
2) To get people to empasize for the weak and powerless who can’t stand up for their rights on their own so that the world wouldn’t become a place where survival of the fittest (equals wealthiest these days) would take a place among humans too.

And to convince myself about these things I now got the CD.
Musicwise the CD is very diversified. At times the music is dark, gloomy and melancholic, then again very rocky with soft metal elements. Some Irish or Scottish music elements also seem to have been in the influences as well as medieval music. The beginning of the first song somehow reminds of Shadow Reichenstein, and later on the music reminds of Dropkick Murphys. Outstanding are the female backing vocals on “Sacrifice for a Greater Cause”. It somehow adds more depth, tragedy and seriousness to the already very serious song.

Other than most times, this album is not easy to sing along, and I am not really sure if it’s meant to be for singing along. I more get the impression that this band wants to be heard, to be listened to and taken serious. The lyrics are very serious and yet are the topics of the lyrics are taken out of everday’s life, taken out of the world we live in. I think this album is more meant to open eyes and minds to the problems, trouble and facts of this world, to be aware of all that, rather than just having a good time and a beer while listening to it. Of course shouldn’t we all get pulled down by this, nor getting depressive or feeding hate or negativity in this world. No, we are still supposed to have a good time and enjoy our lives, only with the awareness of the … let’s call it: “real world”. My favorite on this album is “Battle for Humanity”, not only because it is accompanied by piano, but also because it’s a great summary of the world we live in and humanity.

A quite political, social and deep album filled with true statements and facts. I am impressed and it definitely made me think.

Links:
Lines of Leaving Official
Lines of Leaving Myspace