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Not to dig up an ancient review, but I have been spinning a lot of OG recently. What strikes me is that SHOSW is just so damn 'safe' and uneventful compared to their previous offerings. People often slander Years in Waste, but I think it is nearly as good as the debut and in some ways is even better (more complex and interesting use of melody, more engaging song structures while it still maintains that thick and omnipresent atmosphere from Spirits).
I think the general crappiness of SHOSW compared to its predecessors has a lot to do with two factors: (i) the new vocalist and (ii) the production. Many people really did not like Antti's vocals on the past two albums but I am of the opinion that his vox fit the band's sound and mystical atmosphere to a t. The new vocalist, Pelkonen while competent, simply does not have the same contributing aura that Antti's distinct approach necessarily had. The production also is less suited for the band's sound--I mean it sounds more organic and dirtier than the sheen of their past records (normally an approach that I would acclaim) but it simply does not suit the overarching sound of the band and basically sucks out any last remnants of their evocative atmosphere from the past full-lengths.
That being said, I am still hopeful that OG can return to the glory of their first two records with the one they are currently in the process of recording--but the realist in me keeps saying that such hope is illogical. Time will tell.
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