Entwine
The Treasures Within Hearts

Finnish, romantic, sad, gothic. In a few words, Entwine, a band formed back in 1995, since then has released six studio albums. The first, released in 1999, is this very "The treasures within hearts" with Panu Willman as vocalist and guitar, Tom Mikkola on guitar, Teppo Taipale on bass, Riitta Heikkonen on keyboards, and Aksu Hanttu on drums.

"The treasures within hearts" is an unassuming gothic metal album. Listening to it, you can perceive how Entwine wanted at all costs to publish something, but the result is a jumble of immature arpeggios and riffs, placed somewhat randomly. Seven senseless tracks, despite a good underlying atmosphere that recalls the white expanses of Scandinavia. What truly renders this release futile is Panu Willman's voice: absolutely misplaced, at times off-key, at times unbearable. If musically the album is redeemed, everything is ruined by the singer's voice, which promptly led to his dismissal from the band.

It is the lack of necessity that makes "The treasures within hearts" a negligible album, barely felt even by the band members themselves. "My mistress" and "Don't let this night be over" are salvageable, but for the rest, the debut of the Finns remains anonymous.

A "romantic doom" style cover is not enough to make this a good album, nor is a few decadent passages. Fortunately, they will redeem themselves in the future, so we can leave this debut shelved in a corner.

1. "Thy Guiding Light" (6:25)
2. "Deliverance" (3:47)
3. "In The Frame Of Wilderness" (5:14)
4. "My Mistress" (4:35)
5. "Enjoy The Silence" (3:51)
6. "Veiled Woman" (5:45)
7. "Don't Let This Night Be Over" (6:17)