Finnish melodic death metal band Insomnium delivers a concept album exploring Finland's devastating famine of 1696-1697. The music combines crushing heaviness with melodic sophistication, featuring both harsh death metal vocals and clean singing. The compositions are epic in scope, with songs developing through multiple movements and dynamic shifts. Guitar work balances technical precision with memorable melodies, while keyboards add atmospheric depth. The lyrical content addresses historical tragedy with respect and emotional weight, making the past viscerally present. The production is powerful yet clear, allowing all instrumental details to shine. This is essential for melodic death metal fans and demonstrates how extreme music can address serious historical subjects with genuine artistic merit.