Maximum Metal Rating Legend

End My Sorrow - A Mind Unsolved - 2006 - Independent

TrackListing1.Wither Away 2. Show Burning Red 3. Behind the Truth

Hailing from Denmark, End My Sorrow are a female fronted metal band with a hint of gothic influences in their sound. What they are playing isn’t anything too innovative – it’s the same style that bands such as Within Temptation, After Forever, and The Gathering have been playing for years. However, after giving their demo entitled “A Mind Unsolved” a few spins, it became clear that despite their lack of innovation, they’re still a worthwhile band.

Lead vocalist Liv Stikling’s voice isn’t as powerful or operatic as those of Liv Kristine or Tarja, but it sounds pleasant enough all the same. Complementing her clean vocals are some extremely crisp growls from guitarist Christian Jensen. The demo’s first song, “Wither Away,” contains an almost constant dual-vocal approach, with Jensen’s growls harmonized with Stikling’s singing. The results are fantastic –this vocal system is combined with a rather upbeat (for the genre) guitar pattern for an excellent sound. Despite the fact that End My Sorrow are an unproven, unsigned band, this song alone is proof of their immense potential.

The demo’s other two songs, “Show Burning Red” and “Behind the Truth,” aren’t as good as “Wither Away.” They are both slower and contain fewer death vocals, but they are by no means unpleasant to listen to. “Behind the Truth” actually contains some riffing that is far more adventurous than anywhere else on the demo. It doesn’t fit perfectly with everything else the band is trying to accomplish in the song, but with time and refinement small issues like that will most likely be worked out. End My Sorrow have a lot of talent, and while they will not be the next Nightwish of Leaves’ Eyes, they appear to have a bright future ahead of them.

--Veritas 02.12.06