The Rasmus - Hide FromThe Sun

Wed 2nd Nov, 2005 in Music Reviews

Masters of melancholy rock The Rasmus return with their sophomore follow up to last years Dead Letters entitled Hide From The Sun. The Rasmus reunite with their original sound, as well as adding some new and equally impressive guitar driven, big chorus chord crunching nocturnal anthems. Their fifth album to date, this year’s gallant effort will be just as pleasing to the soul for all who purchased a copy of 2004`s Dead Letters which sold over 1.5 million copies for the Helsinki lads.

Retaining dark themes and the usual ode-to-girl type melodies, the opening track Shot reveals promise of what is to follow, as the title track Hide From The Sun comprises an eerie introduction laden with similar themes. All tracks consist of a familiar onslaught typical of The Rasmus` swooping big choruses and guitars wrapped in a complementing array of strings organised by Apocalyptica.

This is followed by medium paced rhythm rock lead by the now familiar style of vocalist Lauri Ylonin. His whisperings and husky voice comprise captivating chants of the often poetic lyrics. What ensues are several more uniformly dark lullabies.

Guitarist Pauli plays a catchy upbeat progressive riff interspersed throughout Immortal and then along comes a pleasant effort of reminiscing on Sail Away, leading the listener into an adventure through a microcosm of a soothing but sinister world.

The greatly anticipated first single off the new album No Fear includes yet another eerie keyboard tune, while the oft-repeated lyrics form the back bone of the big chorus line. The Rasmus have proven that they have cemented themselves firmly within the genre of melodic dark rock and Hide From The Sun accentuates their established sound.

Hailing from Finland, this four piece churn out consecutive tracks laden with poetic heartfelt tunes, and somehow dissolve upbeat catchy riffs with involving, engaging and identifiable but sombre themes. Lauri and band work their way through all eleven songs smoothly but with steady progression.

No doubt targeting emotions and appealing to the deepest state of depressive poetic soul searching, Heart Of Misery  says “I just want to die, in the heart of misery”, which is a very gloomy track filled with dark desires. This is followed by a tip-toeing sombre piano piece and a crunching guitar track with emotive lyrics that proved to be potentially gripping.

While maintaining an ever growing interest from alienated youth the world over, The Rasmus are not to be considered original by any means. The foursome have almost gone out of their way to convey a heavily clouded atmosphere of reoccurring bleak themes. They have simultaneously created popular rock that is melodic, charming and buoyant but at the same time flooded with waves of misery and chaos.

The Rasmus shine light on the bleakest of moments, however unintentional this may be. In a nutshell, this album is big on catchy riffs and melodies interwoven with big guitar sounds accompanied by diving and rising choruses. These talented four guys have churned out an expected quality sophomore album. Doom and gloom aside, Hide From The Sun shows beautiful promise and shines through as a sure seller.