In Vain (NOR), 2 February 2024

A raging tempest is not known for equally offering clarity of precision and a seductive expanse of temptation but then the maelstrom of creative imagination which breeds within Norwegians In Vain is like no other. Since making their impressive mark with two early EPs, the Kristiansand band has continually exposed the metal world to a form of aggressively inventive progressive extreme metal veined by diverse flames of melodic and impassioned persuasion which is persistently impacting for thoughts and inciting upon emotions. Signing with Indie Recordings in 2005 In Vain startled and enraptured the metal world with debut album “The Latter Rain” two years later. It was an epic project involving close to 20 guest musicians and several guest vocalists including the legendary Jan K. Transeth (ex-In the Woods...) and Kjetil Nordhus (Tristania, ex-Green Carnation, ex-Trail of Tears), and a release which immediately had the music press united in acclaiming its ground-breaking classic status. A successful European tour alongside Battered and label mates Vreid followed as well as performances at numerous festivals such as the Inferno Festival, before the band settled into starting work on their second album, Released in 2010 "Mantra" thrust the band to the higher echelons of extreme metal alongside the heavyweights of the genre. The album held the breath and heart of their previous releases but took them and their invention into new explorations of every aspect of their songwriting and sound. Again critical plaudits were enthusiastic with quotes like…“This highly agile and expansive “Mantra” should be on your 'best of 2010' list if you are a metal fan with a shred of openness to a few things non-metallic.” [- www.chroniclesofchaos.com] …a constant response. 2013 saw In Vain unveil their most innovative and imaginatively versatile work to date. Third album “Ænigma” took eight rich and expansive tracks borne of In Vain’s unique trademarked sound honed into a towering and inventively provocative fire of uncompromising pleasure. Mixed and produced by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Soilwork, Borknagar, etc.), the album as previous releases featured guest appearances from musicians bringing their exceptional craft and passion across a variety of instruments such as strings and horns, artists such as Lazare and Cornelius from Solefald. In regard to the striking and rewarding production from Jens Bogren upon the album Johnar goes on to say “We had a solid impression of the productions coming out of the Fascination Street Studio, and believed Jens was the right guy to give the music the crystal clear and powerful sound that it demands. Jens did not cut any corners and delivered a production par excellence.” The songs on “Ænigma”, as is the norm with In Vain’s creativity, covered a wide range of musical styles, with the core of its music still firmly based in the passion of extreme metal. It brought to light intensely focused songs which set the release apart from their former albums and the band in its own unique plateau within the genre. This view was shared and devoured by fans and the critical media alike, and the album was set high on a horde of Best of Year lists for 2013. 2014 will be another potent encounter for all from the band through their invention and ever impressive presence. In Vain is a force never resting on laurels and destined to provide a breath-taking provocation over the years to come. This is their time and there is no obstacle able to stop their potent imagination foraging sound; now is the time to immerse in the progressive extreme rapture that is In Vain.