Scarlet Records have been around for some time, quietly snatching up every power, symphonic, and corset-core outfit in Italy. Why are there so many of these acts in a country of its size, you ask? I-a have-a no idea-a. So, it was a great surprise when I picked up this rando from their label, neither Italian nor any of the aforementioned genre abominations. Thy Kingdom Will Burn hails from the frozen wastelands of Finland and plays sad-boi melodic death metal. Like neighboring melodeath elite, Thy Kingdom Will Burn sports the genre standards of bands like Insomnium and Dark Tranquillity while tapping the vein of old-school At the Gates. Don’t expect any new directions or genre-shaping songwriting decisions, but they’re solid at what they do. Having only released LPs since 2021, it’s surprising (and maybe a little scary?) that The Loss and Redemption is the band’s third album. Regardless, this little prolific band is here to shed tears, shred balls, and possibly recruit a new fan.
One thing that can be said about Thy Kingdom Will Burn is that they are an acquired taste. Not in a negative way because there are plenty of bands like that. But, many of the transitions between gruffs and cleans can be jarring at times, though the diversity is pleasing with the different flavors of cleans. If you dislike the forced gruffs of Trivium’s Matt Heafy, you’ll have some difficulty here. They aren’t identical but it’s pretty damn close. That said, they’re good at writing passionate, melodic pieces. The band continues to find their voice and The Loss and Redemption is their best record yet. So, get the tissues ready, stretch that neck out, and prepare for things you’ve heard before that still might have you wrinkling your brow.
The Loss And Redemption by Thy Kingdom Will Burn
“Perpetual Void” is a strong song from the band and a great way to kick off the album. It incorporates many of the individual techniques you’ll hear throughout the album but into a single song. Opening with a melodic introduction, it settles into a groove before those previously mentioned snarls hit the ears. As the track rises and falls, building the atmosphere, we find a gentle, bass-led passage that precedes the erupting, memorable chorus. In six minutes, you’ll traverse passionate sections, happy-go-lucky interludes, and a stargazing chorus that grows stronger as it goes. “Sydänyö” bookends the album by taking elements from the opener and emptying the pantry. While the song swirls in and out of melodic passages, using clean guitars to set the mood, it also includes one of the band’s heaviest riffs. Toss in some folkiness, orchestration, and piano to offset the concrete-cracking drive of the song, and your heart will ache as much as your head will bang.
By the time you get to the closer, you’re used to the folky elements of The Loss and Redemption. But, I was not prepared for the extent of it in “Obscure Existence.” It’s great, and I love it. But coming off “Perpetual Void,” I did not expect the folkery and upbeat gallop that eventually transitions into some Dark Tranquillity territories. This song is also the first introduction to the album’s piano usage, which is quite pleasing to the ears. These surprises kept me inspired enough to spin the album again. However, some surprises do not work. Case in point, “Forever in Dark.” This gorgeous song didn’t deserve the spoken-word segments that derail the beautiful flow and heart-wrenching chorus. That said, the build and final iteration of the chorus is worth it—even if I cringe with each spoken-word interlude that corrupts its beauty.
There are plenty of other highlight moments in The Loss and Redemption, but not everything works in the confined structure of a song. “Martyrs of Killing Floor”1 has a lot of promise, but with all its mood shifts and bizarre lyrics, I’m left waiting for it to end. “Suffering Sky” has its moments but drags on too long and the chorus is boring. Dropping this track would have helped the flow and omitted almost six minutes of the album’s nearly fifty-minute runtime. All in all, The Loss and Redemption sees Thy Kingdom Will Burn continuing to grow as a band. The songwriting is their strongest, but most sinks only hold so many dishes.2 If the band can reel in some of the chaotic qualities of their song structures, Thy Kingdom Will Burn could be a strong contributor to the melodeath world. While Scarlet Records needs to send me some 320 kbps promos, the dynamics of this record are lush, letting you hear nearly every instrument and the individual orchestral elements. If you like melodeath, you might find something worthwhile in The Loss and Redemption.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 256 kb/s mp3
Label: Scarlet Records
Websites: thykingdomwillburn.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/thykingdomwillburn
Releases Worldwide: January 17th, 2025
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