Formed by three young music enthusiasts back in 2004, the band quickly released two critically acclaimed self financed EP’s. The band from Kristiansand, Norway, created music of unrelenting atmosphere, aggression and complexity. Fuelled by the standing ovations and the great response from a united metal press, the band was soon back in the studio to record their debut album, 'The Latter Rain'. Now the band had gone from being a 3 piece on the first demo EP, to become a 6 man strong full band on the first album.

WILL THE SUN EVER RISE (2004) DEMO

As I Wither Caught Within A Vision By Night

Line-up: Johnar Håland - guitar, programming Sindre Nedland - clean vocals, backing vocals, keys Andreas Frigstad - lead vocals

In Vain consists of 3 still relatively young members. But that doesn't stop them from creating intricate music. 'Will The Sun Ever Rise' includes 3 tracks of progressive metal music. Their core lies within black and death metal. But weaved around the riffs and blastbeats you'll find some pretty intriguing solutions, technical leaps and at times calculated madness! Therefore these guys manage to touch in on most of the genres within the metal world. The vocals vary from hoarse, screaming black vocals, via death growls and into clean vocals. And everything sounds equally good and natural. Programmed drums are never a plus. But I still doesn't find it to be that much of a hindrance here. It's the variations within the compositions that makes this such a unique listening experience. Unexpected breaks and unusual choice of instruments, mixed with a steady and precise performance. The demo absolutely refuses to become boring, and manage to sound fresh with every new listen. In Vain have first and foremost created a sound of their own. It sounds professional, and it sounds great! The closest comparisons I can come up with must be Extol or Opeth, and if that is not a compliment, I don't know what is. This is a demo you should take time to hunt down. I suspect that these guys get picked up by a major company, soon. In the mean time you can visit their homepage, where you also can listen to tracks from this awesome demo EP. www.invain.org

WOUNDS (2005) INDEPENDENT (EP)

In Vain returns one year after their debut demo. This time they've stepped it up a notch! As much as I loved their first outing, 'Wounds' manages to top it all off! The layout and booklet is better, the production is better, and the musicianship is outstanding! They also brought in a drummer this time. I just can't believe that they are still not signed to a major label! From the acoustic opening of 'October's Monody' kicks in, I'm spellbound. The song goes from acoustic to classic metal and then moves on to becoming a black metal feast, only to further venture into more somber, doomier parts. All with the greatest ease, and natural progression. This song reminds me quite a bit of Extol. Then we get the awesome "Det Rakner!". Talk about spicing up your tunes! Just check out the keys in the opening seconds! Sung in Norwegian, this track not only showcases Andreas as a leading vocalist within the genre, but also sees a song that defies categorization. The clean vocals sends shivers down my spine! And would you check out the cello part towards the end? It might be my favorite on this EP. That doesn't exactly mean that "In Remembrance" is any lesser. This jazzed up death metal thing comes to us complete with a saxophone break in the middle! Ending this jaw dropping release is the laid back "Epilogue: Alene". Clocking in at over 4 minutes, this is still the shortest track on the EP. The spoken Norwegian lyrics are haunting, and the entire composition is very dark and somber. Now, why aren't these guys signed again!?????! This is a perfect 10/10 for a demo release!

THE LATTER RAIN (2007) INDIE RECORDINGS

Finally someone signed this excellent band and released their debut album! If you've read any of the write-up on the bands first 2 demos EP's, you'll know that this was long overdue. 'The Latter Rain' is the name of the first born full-length. And suffice to say, it delivers some of the most creative music ever put on disc here in Norway... heck, let's say in the world! These guys won't settle for safe or mediocre, but rather go the distance to create something unique. You can hear it already in the opening intro (also the title track) that you are about to hear something grand. This is music of great epic proportions, mixing just about any genre of metal there is, dissecting every element, and putting it together in a way that only In Vain can do. You just never know what lies around the next corner, behind the next note, or in the next track, for that matter. You just know you wanna stay for the whole ride, no matter what! In this day and age there are many extreme metal bands that add orchestral parts to the music. But no one is doing it as successful as these 6 guys from Kristiansand. They don't use the trumpets and cellos and whatnot as a background musical carpet. But rather they weave the different instruments into the arrangements, making them essential parts of the songs, and creating a depth that I can't say that I've heard elsewhere. 4 of the songs were already released on the 2 aforementioned EP's. But they have all been re-recorded for this CD. 'The Latter Rain' continues to blow my mind on every listen, be it the thunderous black metal with growling vocals, or the somber parts with clean vocals. In Vain gives you the total extreme metal package, and no metal head should be left wanting after listening to 'The Latter Rain'. Definitely a contender on my top 20 list of 2007 releases.

Killer tracks: In The Midnight Hour, Det Rakner!, October's Monody, The Titan, As I Wither

MANTRA (2010) INDIE RECORDINGS

In Vain returns after 3 years, with their second album, 'Mantra'. One of the worlds best extreme metal bands have used the time in between recordings well, as this new album can only be described using one word; perfection!

I have to confess that I had serious doubts that In Vain would be capable of yet again topping what they have delivered in the past. But I have no idea why such thoughts entered my mind, because they've absolutely surpassed all my expectations in the past. And low and behold, they have done it again! 'Mantra' is yet another stunning piece of work, created by a band that is never content with recording the same album twice. It cannot be an easy task to reinvent themselves all the time, and yet keep a definitive own sound. Yet that is what In Vain do, ever time.

On 'Mantra' the band has stripped it down to the bare essentials. No, this is not an unplugged album, and it is still as extreme sounding as the former album. It's the songwriting and compositions that are stripped of most of the "extra" layers. The tempos are for the most part slower, and it is no coincidence that the album is named 'Mantra'. The songs are suggestive, chanting and enchanting. Moods are often created by the various vocals, as usual ranging from clean to grinding black. There is always a sense of surprise when listening to an In Vain record. I was totally thrown for a loop when the blues/bluegrass notes of "Ain't No Lovin'" hit my ears, and a big grin came upon my face when the more extreme "On The Banks Of Mississippi" picked up on the same feeling. This has got to be the first American roots/country influenced doom/death metal song, ever! And it sounds absolutely phenomenal. "Wayakin (The Guardian Of The Nez Perce)" is taking it even further. This song is about the Nez Perce Indian tribe, who fled to Canada with the help of the Wayakin spirits. It features a guest spot from the Apache Indian and musician, Gil Silverbird. It's not all chimes and flutes on this album though. "Dark Prophet's, Black Hearts" f.ex. brings a more familiar up-tempo death metal approach. So although 'Mantra' delivers something new and fresh for In Vain fans, it is still always quite apparent what band you are listening to.

'Mantra' is such a strong album, I am once again finding myself in loss for superlatives to describe it all. You just have to take my word on it when I say that you need to check this out for yourself. I must also urge you to check out the thought provoking lyrics, all very well written. With not one week track on the CD, we're talking contender for album of the year 2010 for me.

My version comes with a multimedia bonus disc. It features a making-of video, wallpapers, digital booklet and 2 bonus songs. Most notable of these is the traditional folk song, "Wayfaring Stranger", made famous by Burl Ives, but also recorded by such artists as Eva Cassidy, 16 Horsepower, Johnny Cash and Pete Seger, to name a few. But I also enjoyed the longer version of "In Remembrance" from the bands second demo, 'Wounds'.

Killer tracks: All of them.