Now here's a novel concept - a Metal band unafraid to sing and present their songs in their own native language. If you hail from a country whose native language is not English, what's wrong with sticking to what you know? Many a decent album has gone sour because a band chooses to force English into the recipe in an attempt to expand their appeal, only to result in a substandard affair because the lyrics sound weak and contrived in their attempts at emulation. Fortunately, Finland's SYNESTESIA harbor no such delusions, and much to their benefit the music they craft is inherently stronger for their dedication to the language of their homeland.

Granted this reduces the likeliness that a non-Finnish speaking listener will be singing along, but SYNESTESIA is not a band overly concerned with how easy their songs are to sing around the campfire. Instead SYNESTESIA focus on what truly matters: strong Death Metal vocal aggression with solid pacing and emphasis, and an aggressive musical assault with efficient rhythmic drum arrays and a crisp, dominant guitar tone delivering distinct, incisive riffs weighing heavily of distinction and effectiveness.

In broad terms, SYNESTESIA is not going to change the face of Metal, nor is their music the litmus by which to compare the strength of any other given band. But in a music scene that steadily becomes more and more diluted by misguided, half-hearted attempts at what truly moves us, SYNESTESIA hold true to the tried and true formula of aggressive vocal confidence and the ever certain strength of driving tempos and the almighty guitar riff. "Minun Hymyni Kirkastaa Kasvosi" is every bit as infectious in hearing as it is difficult in pronouncing, and " Kuka Nyt Saa Sen Tietää" is so distinct in its memorable, off-time guitar riffing that it will easily register as one of the most distinct Metal songs to be found in 2009. Add to that the acoustic and orchestral majesty of the OPETH-ian instrumental "Suvanto" and you're looking at the strongest Finnish Metal album to come out in some time, and one of the more surprisingly solid European releases you're likely to hear all year. Much respect to SYNESTESIA for their commitment to their heritage and their ability to meld masterful Melodic Metal that speaks the universal language of the banging head.