Review: I Miss My Death “Mysto”

Throughout all 13 years history of existence I Miss My Death released only their second album “Mysto” in 2020. And this time they decide to use their native language (Ukrainian). And it was well paid off, the use of Slavic language highlighted the whole album with ethnic spirit. There are too many bands using the method of the beauty and the beast in the music, so the Ukrainian singing really show them in more favourable light.

“Mysto” is a conceptual album, every song here has its own story, related to the mystical history of their hometown Kyiv. Kyiv definitely is the city with a long and rich history (including dark and mysterious experience), so there’s a lot of space to improvise. I Miss My Death plays symphonic gothic metal, and in truth, they feel a bit uncomfortable within the borders of the genre. The influence of classical music and folk metal is quite noticeable. Ethnic elements are especially audible in song “Чортiв Тягар”, and the whole male extreme vocals are based rather on folk metal foundation.

The singing of Serhii Kryvoviaz isn’t too expressive and strong, but anyway, it is visibly obscured by the academic soprano of Helen Kryvoviaz. And in these matters the band follows the rules of the genre, the contrast of extreme male vocals and operatic female voice, and sometimes Helen lacks emotions to express her feelings.

The keyboards with the equal importance of vocal lines dominate through the record, though the classical heavy metal foundation’s significance is undisputed. Despite the rich use of synthesizers, the album isn’t overloaded with electronic elements and isn’t compositionally intricated. The sound is pure to the point, where every instrument is strictly audible, although the loudness of Helen’s vocals, deliberately or not, is emphasized, so the focus is exactly on female singing. And that is clear because the songs with dominating male vocals lack originality (like in the songs “Дiм Невтiшноï Вдови” or “Голоси Ciють Iстину”), the music itself firmly demands more female singing.

The classical piano passages embellish the record with beautiful melancholy. The album starts energetically, shifting to mid-tempo and more tranquil and dreamy ballads. There’s more heaviness on atmospheric pieces (such as “Чортiв Тягар”) with more experimental sight. The structure of the songs isn’t too complicated, so the album is easy to perceive, and along with melodic choruses the songs are easily remembered. Despite the dark lyrics and sorrowful manner of female singing, the album radiates light and a rather positive aura. “Mysto” is not annoying, but still, there’s a big difference between the classic symphonic songs and those songs, which diligently leave the borders of the genre (like the songs “Чортiв Тягар” and “Спогад”). These songs are definitely more interesting and perspective. So, I Miss My Death are well on their way in search of their own uniqueness and individuality.

Release date: April 9th, 2020

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