Via Mistica is now a progressive gothic metal band from Poland and this is their third disc. They began with atmospheric gothic metal on Testamentum (In Hora Mortis Nostre) in 2003 and moved to black gothic metal on Fallen Angels in 2004. Their songs are generally heavy and crunchy with a light gothic groove, along with pervasive symphonic acoustic passages. They write lush melodies, often incredibly beautiful, with a pleasant mystical atmosphere. They followed this formula to good effect on Testamentum but the frequent black metal influences on Fallen Angels were too contrastingly abrasive, harsh and cold – they were not able to successfully integrate them with the lush gothic metal. Happily, Under My Eyelids finds Via Mistica returning to their roots while adding a greater intensity and complexity in their arrangements; the result is an accessible yet reasonably demanding dark, dramatic gem of progressive gothic metal.

Their female vocalist, Katarzyna Polak-Kozowska, has a strong alto style, very smooth and expressive, quite often enchanting. She has adopted a generally more aggressive and sometimes slightly experimental style on Under My Eyelids, adding again to the progressive feel of the disc. There are very occasional death vocals and even more occasional clean male vocals.

Very few bands attempt to add significant progressive elements to gothic metal, probably because many fans of gothic metal demand atmosphere above all else; it can be very challenging to maintain this with even moderately complex song-writing; indeed, the only bands that come to mind with female vocals that have done this well are Liva and Artrosis on W Imie Nocy. Under My Eyelids is a welcome and very well-done addition to this thinly populated genre.

For more information visit the band’s MySpace site http://www.myspace.com/viamistica or http://viamistica.rockmetal.art.pl/

8.5/10