Stained

Though Melodic Death Metal is not a genre which often captivates me I find it clear that this band have truly raised the bar for their competition. All the songs are stunningly written with a gret eye for melody and performed at great pace with immaculate accuracy. The producion is even astounding for a debut, roll on album number 2.

Imperanon are a really great band. Stunning in fact. The album opens like a cluster bomb with 'Blade' as their symphonic melodeath melts my face off and the high velocity shredding, magestic keyboard washes, neo-classical leads, frantic solo's and lyrnx ripping screams tear at me like shrapnel. Very fast and aggressive yet with an awesome sense of melody and some great guitar hooks and harmonies. The rest of the album pretty much continues in the same vein, with other stand out songs being 'Memories to Dust' with its video game feel and Maiden esque galloping riffs, the baroque 'Prisoner in me' or the great 'Shadowsouls' with som out of place yet strangly compelling female vocals. Hollowman is pretty cool as well, with it's Dio style spandex metal vocals.Yet there's a problem with Imperanon. They sound almost exactly like Children of Bodom. well, not exactly like Bodom, but very similar. There is a bit more of a neo-classical edge, and much of the album sounds like 'Timeless Departure' by Skyfire, but it's pretty safe to say that Imperanon don't have anything i haven't heard from another Scandinavian band of similar style.Which is a shame as Imperanon are just as technically brilliant as Alexi and co, and if i'm honest this is probably better then COB (for sure much better then anything they did after Hate Crew). Had I never heard Bodom i might even give this a 5, but the lack of originallity makes me have to come down on these guys. It's a shame they split up, as i'm sure if they had been given more time to find their own sound they might have been one of the best Finland had to offer.In conclusion, Stained is an excellent album that is well written, well produced and frighteningly well played (it's worth buying for the solos alone), yet lacking in originallity. Thaknfully, the quality of the music is enough to get past any plagerism issues. This is recommended, esp for fans of Bodom, Skyfire, Kalmah, Wintersun et al, but don't go looking for any original ideas.

Such an awesome album, I wish they made more than one album.

good price

Sounds like finger nails on a chalk board. Had to trow it in the garbage.

It is quite something to believe that so much talent can come from such a young group of ambitious boys. We have all had that idea in our heads once or more of being in a band, and I think that these five individuals had that same idea less than seven years ago. By that time they were most likely in their early teens, and now they are playing with the biggest Metal names in Europe. I am seriously surprised at the skill each member displays with their own art.Aleksi Sihvonen performs a fantastic balance of guitar shredding and waterfall finger movements along the entire neck of his guitar while accomplishing vocals at the same time. As childish as he may look, he sounds undeniably recognizable to Alexi Laiho. HOWEVER!!!!!!! Aleksi also happens to perform Power Metal vocals, which isn't the greatest thing to me and kind of ruins the songs that have them a little. Teemu Mantysaari really impresses me, as he is just three years older than I am. The way this guy customizes his axe's sound is incredible for his age, and I give him props and the ability to play with the likes of other well aged Melodic Death Metal bands. Aleksi Virta pumps up the fusion of Metal and keyboards just as well as Children Of Bodom's Janne, Kalmah's Pasi (Yes I know they have a new one, but Pasi did it the best), and Norther's Tuomas ever could. His young age is the only difference, and if you never knew that, you couldn't tell the difference between his talent and the other previously mentioned bands' keyboardists. Eki Nurmikari, the only member even considered to be "old" in this case, is still as young and fresh as any other bassist in this Metal division. Of course I wouldn't leave him saying he isn't anything but an invaluable bassist. Jaakko Nylund is another kid fresh off the block that delivers everything in one album Children Of Bodom have delivered in at least three of their own.Every song has its own beauty that can only be heard without words to describe it. The fact that a band so young can deliver such great music is astonishing. Everyday here in America I have to live surrounded by the worst music created. In America, the only thing you are bombarded with is petty mainstream trash, so I feel fortunate to love Metal and lucky to have come across gems like this. Only Metal could ever put great albums out, and this truly great form of music influenced Imperanon. I hope they will release a new album soon, because it will only be a privilege to hear what they will come up with next. Give these young guys a go, you will not be disappointed one bit. When you create music because you love music, like these guys have, you get something from the fans who really appreciate what you do...respect.

I own this CD and this band is a talented group of new faces, and definitley worth a listen of you like Children of Bodom, Kalmah, Norther, Warmen, Wintersun, Sinergy etc. Sounds kind of like early bodom. Riffs are not "stolen" from children of bodom, as I've heard some people claim; unless Alexi Laiho invented the multi octave arpeggio. Only thing I heard that was "stolen" was a vivaldi-ish riff late in the album, but even so it sounded pretty damn cool. (I love everything neoclassical.)Some cool lyrics here and there, lots of fast solos, harpsichords (much love) arp patterns, speedy drumwork, blatant display of musical dexterity all that good stuff. I also like soprano female singer on shadowsouls. (get the limited edition cd with bonus tracks, there's a demo of shadowsouls that is different and also excellent.) This is *NOT* power metal, nor is it power metal with harsh vocals (I also listen to a lot of power metal), Imperanon is Melodic Death/Melodic Black among a bunch of other possible generes. Hard to define, like bodom and wintersun and such bands.Amazing talent for such a young group of musicians!Highly recommended.