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Finland's progressive Death/Doom Metallers Barren Earth signed to Century Media Records at the beginning of 2015 and also introduced their new singer Jón Aldará, who is a native of the Faroe Islands. Barren Earth's previous singer Mikko Kotamäki, who earned his spurs in Swallow the Sun, left the band in 2013, leaving big boots to fill.

Jón Aldará, despite looking like every mom's dream son-in-law, sounds like a perfect replacement with amazingly varied vocals and the ability to sing everything from beautiful and dramatic clean vocals to really deep death grunts. He's definitely the guy to take over the vocalist's throne in the Barren Earth ranks.

On Lonely Towers reveals Barren Earth's strong claim to being true masters of musical art. The songs are sinfully atmospheric, moody and dramatic, at times very folky (no surprise as there are two ex-Amorphis members in the line-up) and full of surprises by unexpectedly changing from one mood to the other all of a sudden. Everything the guys have done points to an open-minded yet uncompromising approach on this third record. It could be said that bands like Candlemass are an important influence and they must have lots of love for Autopsy's Mental Funeral and their doomy approach to Death Metal and don't forget Pink Floyd's psychedelic input. My Dying Bride's presence can be found in songs like "A Shapeless Derelict." A few nuances of raging and primitive Black Metal isn't out of their musical scope either, sowed here and there throughout On Lonely Towers. One of the album's pillars is the seamless musicianship. Each member seems to know exactly how Barren Earth should sound and all share a similar vision.

Why am I still babbling here? Just get this record and prepare to be completely blown away. On Lonely Towers is undoubtedly one of the most impressive Metal albums released in 2015, hands down.