Rioghan – Kept

Rioghan
Kept
Label: Inverse Records
Out: February 14^th, 2025
Playing time: 51:31

It began with a number of single releases (e.g. ‘Sight’; 2022) and EPs (‘Blackened Sky’, 2021). One or two cover EPs were also released (‘Covers II’, 2021). In my opinion, these were sometimes more, sometimes less successful. There was also light and shade on the debut album ‘Different Kinds Of Losses’ (2022). Now the Finnish Progressive Metal band Rioghan (original press release) have released their second album ‘Kept’. The band is named after Rioghan Darcy (real name Jenni Perämäki). Rioghan was founded in in 2019. ‘Kept’ was produced and mixed by guitarist Teemu Liekkala. Miro Kiiski (Miro Mastering) was responsible for the final production.

‘Dreams’ starts with a synth intro, which is soon replaced by a thunderstorm of riffs. The riffs are accompanied by atmospheric synthesiser tapestries. Darcy’s vocals sound seductive, even when it gets a little harder and louder. ‘Hands’ is much heavier and is somewhat reminiscent of In This Moment. The harsh vocal passages are also reminiscent of Maria Brink. And like her, the singer also masters the beguiling clear vocals. After that, ‘Skin’ is more Electro-Pop. ‘Edge’, on the other hand, is characterised by hard riffs and evil screams. Jenni screams her heart out. The constant alternation between beguiling and harsh vocals is impressive. However, I couldn’t find out who the male growl partner in the background is. But both go well together. ‘Distance’ starts with breathy words and beguiling vocals to synth chords. A song that leans strongly towards Electro Pop/Rock. Towards the end, the guitars bang and Darcy counters them with angry growls. Although the song is quite calm for long stretches, ‘Hopes’ provides a real respite. The singer is accompanied by acoustic guitars and atmospheric keyboard tapestries. Accordion and violin passages are added later. In ‘Motion’ we hear hard riffs with accompanying and subtle orchestral bombast. Somehow familiar from Nightwish, but without the evil growls. ‘Here’ starts with a contemplative piano intro. Tapestries of strings kick in later. The drums set a calm rhythm, which only increases slightly during the more powerful passages. The song as a whole seems like a moderate build-up, which is concluded by a piano and string fade-out. ‘With a playing time of just over seven minutes, “Red” is the longest song on the album. Thanks to the various melodic and rhythmic changes, we hear a Progressive Rock epic. Quiet sections, in which Darcy simply breathes the vocals, alternate with powerful vocals underpinned by heavy riffs. In my opinion, this song is the highlight of the album. The final song, ‘Grief’, is a ballad with a strong piano influence. Darcy beguiles once again with her elfish vocals.

The mix of styles from Rock, Electro-Pop, Dark Progressive to Metal, as we already know it from the debut album, continues on ‘Kept’. But at a higher level. The individual songs, as different as they may be, produce a consistent sound overall. And as with its predecessor, it is worth listening to the album several times in peace and quiet but very intensively.

Rioghan – Distance: https://youtu.be/RFfafeR93nY?si=Hvzl1pwklBRIH4k8

Lineup:

Rioghan Darcy aka Jenni Perämäki – Vocals
Teemu Liekkala – Guitar, Keys
Tero Luukkonen – Guitar
Antti Varjanne – Bass
Valtteri Revonkorpi – Drums

Track list:

• Dreams
• Hands
• Skin
• Edge
• Distance
• Hopes
• Motion
• Here
• Red
• Grief