Endless Chain – Agony

Releasedate:  23.08.24
Label:  Self-Release

In a long line of Finnish melodic metal bands, Endless Chain have recently made the cut. “Agony” is their 2nd album that has come 3 years after 2021’s debut lp “Forthcoming Past”. Endless Chain is a band that is comprised of talented musicians from Finland who are also members of other established metal acts. They also believe in this sophomore project so much that it’s a self release. I can see why when I listen to the end result.

My first impression of the sound is as melodic as melodic metal gets. It has clean vox by Ville Hovi but also harsh brutals by Aki Salonen. Riffs and solos are exquisite and the atmospheric setting is of a Finnish one.

The band compares themselves with great acts such as Insomnium and Amorphis. I would say this album is very melodic but somehow not so much melancholic as one would expect. It rather has got power metal elements even, so you see my point in upbeat tracks like Burn Your Skies Above and Blind Kings. First single off of the album the eponymous track Agony. For my taste, We Are We has got the 1st single quality rather than Agony as it is catchy as hell and melodically powerful. Ghost is the acoustic but symphonically vibing track, it’s enjoyable but it’s not unique to the genre in any way. My absolute favorites of the album ended up being Until No One Comes, We Are We, and Beyond What You Believe. The latter has proggy elements and has that Amorphis feel to it. The album closes with the statement quality of We Are All Vulnerable, here you can feel the melancholic doomy aspect of their sound and setting.

Agony is an album you should give an ear to if you’re a fan of melodic Finnish metal. Endless Chain is also a band to watch out for as they’re also endorsed by Tuomas Saakkonen of Wolfheart.

Line up:

• Ville Hovi: Vocals
• Aki Salonen: Vocals
• Timo Mölsä: Guitar
• Aleksanteri Kuosa: Guitar, Bass
• Samuli Mikkonen: Drums

Tracklist

1. Intro to Agony
2. Agony*
3. Human Race
4. We Are We
5. Burn Your Skies Above
6. Ghost
7. Until No One Comes
8. Blind Kings*
9. Beyond What You Believe**
10. We Are All Vulnerable*
    *Guest solo by Sami Yli-Sirniö (Kreator, Waltari)
    **Guest solo by Panu Wilman

Links:

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/endlesschainband/
Official Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC50hMrcRaGXwMt2cxoYlyLA