Releasedate: 11-04-2025
Label: Noble Demon
The Man-Eating Tree is a Finnish melodic doom metal band. Formed in Oulu in 2009, the band has a steady fanbase in the atmospheric/dark metal scene. After nearly a decade since their last full-length album, “In The Absence Of Light”, The Man-Eating Tree is back with their brand new album, “Night Verses”, out this month via Noble Demon.
“Night Verses” offers us doom and gloom in the form of nine songs. Just like the name of the album, you will feel the night dawning upon you from the beginning, luring you in and bringing in that melancholy. There is a perfect balance of clean and harsh vocals throughout the album, just like winter! The melodies might not stay in your mind right away but the atmospheric vibe and the dark sensations will leave a mark in your ears and mind. One highlight is definitely the last track Reflections, which reminded me of bands like Type O Negative and Katatonia.
Soundwise, get ready to experience a refreshed The Man-Eating Tree sound. The band’s essence is still there but with “Night Verses”, we see a new line-up and a new dimension, which is also reflected in the overall sound. The arrangements and production are very well-made: My personal highlight is the balance of clean and harsh vocals accompanied by melodies and drums, giving the album the flow and the dynamic dark sound.
Gloomy, atmosperic and dark…“Night Verses” is just the perfect comeback for The Man-Eating Tree. The fans of this genre and the band will love this record for sure. The band has also announced that they will be playing live again in 2025. So keep your ears and your eyes open and don’t miss out on this. Kudos to you guys and welcome back!
Highlights: All Our Shadows, Reflections
Line up:
- Manne Ikonen – vocals
- Janne Markus – guitar, vocals
- Sakke Paavola – guitar
- Aksu Hanttu – drums
- Mika “June” Junttila – bass
Tracklist
- Night Verses
- Days Under The Dark
- Seer
- These Traces
- All Our Shadows
- To The Sinking
- Ruins of Insanity
- Abandoned
- Reflections