Hailing from Tampere, Finland, NOSDRAMA describe their own style as “Melodic Metal”, what – in contrast to the dark heaviness on their sophomore entitled Burning Black – excites an amusing amazement. With the debut Cold Trails, Long Roads out in 2006 I could take over its review almost 1:1. And there were already points of references named: Anathema, newer Deftones, Tea Party without orientalism and also Katatonia. And so, as on Cold Trails, Long Roads too, Burning Black introduces with a melodically elaborated track full of melancholic heaviness, its emotional interplay immediately wins favor.
The opening and title track shines with a well-balanced blend of heavy and accentuated guitar work and warm keyboard sounds, which give depth to the music. Singing of Ari Niemis weakens a little at one or two points, but stays acceptable over the entire running time. Though, a tiny weakness gets revealed of an otherwise perfectly self-produced record. They easily could have overworked these singing parts in the studio I think. Well, it carries no weight; Burning Black knows how to convince. All songs are much sophisticated, striking and shine with distinctive riffing, powerful passages and passionate moments, which unite the inner contemplation with a nightly black dance. A special praise goes for the ballad Sunset Of West, which has it to become a favorite of a wide interested listenership.
It’s about time that NOSDRAMA gets the attention they deserve and at least find a publishing house that may neatly refine those somber masterpieces and spread them in large quantities among the mob!