Remember when, what seems like eons ago, Finland used to be the stronghold of any and all melodic metal, in particular their brand of melodeath that could vary from Bodom’s old knack for ripping off classical themes and generally being one of the best bands kicking around and Omnium Gatherum’s moody, proggy and vicious debut. Neither band have managed to live up to their previous milestones, one going all sweary and thrashy, the other having a few setbacks but treading the course. Then there are the carbon copy clones of the melodeath/power/gothicfairyopera/etc. to contend with. And while it may be that Finland’s time in the spotlight may have passed there are some bands out there that proudly fly the flag for all things that were good and unique about Finland’s scene, at least from a foreigner’s view.

Enter the fairly impossible to pronounce Ikuinen Kaamos.

What Ikuinen Kaamos produced in their free to download EP Closure a few years ago is nothing short of remarkable. The eponymous opening track just has that somehow signature Finnish sound from the off, and in one song sweeps from majestic and soaring to the crushing sorrow that would put the shivers up Insomnium. The band has a fair proggy bent to them as well, as they twist and turn through the whole nine minutes, building up to so many crescendos that they’d probably break your average post-rock band too. Not that they’ve got anything like that in there. And while Closure glides smoothly over each section Your Gallows stabs and bites. No moroseness this time, just foreboding and evil, a venomous death metal assault until the end. Final track is a mixture of the pair before it, although more of the former than the latter, dripping with melancholy throughout and with a cheeky little acoustic interlude in the middle before swinging into a massive sounding harmonised solo and shaking out the grims once more.

Special attention must be given to those solos. And leads. And harmonies. This band knows how to use them beyond well, they’re so infectious and emotive and carry the EP effortlessly. The guitar work is extraordinary, as is the rhythm section. The keyboards are strings are never overbearing and provide excellent atmosphere, which is just right for this sort of music. The vocals can be a little hit and miss but for the most part they’re pretty strong. Sadly the band’s website is down, and their EP with it. However you’ll be able to listen to it on the likes of Youtube or last.fm and pick up the thing if you’re resourceful enough. And you should listen to it. In half an hour it’ll remind you of what was then the best country for metal and why its former glory is so very much missed.