Epilogue

Epilogue is the second album, carefully layering gothic metal's dark air with approachable melody. Released in 2001; bassist Miikka Kuisma left and Marko Kangaskolkka, who had been in the band in its early years, took over. Low guitar and a shadowed voice give the songs a cold beauty. Compared with the debut it eases off the gothic-metal color somewhat and pushes their affection for 1980s melodic rock forward. Keyboardist Juska Salminen also played in H.I.M., and his keys quietly support the shading throughout. At fourteen tracks it's a generous listen. Without over-complicating things, it conveys emotion by sustaining each song's mood. From the opener “Crimson Twins” into “Veil of Tears,” “Hollow Heart” and “Garden of Stones” topped the singles chart at home and spread the band's name widely. The close places a cover of Scorpions' “Passion Rules the Game.” A European tour with Lacrimosa followed the release. A record with the quiet of night and heavy drive at once — very much in the Finnish vein.