From Bandcamp, “The tracks of "Otra" are surprisingly captivating with melodic tunes dominating the present sound of IN THE WOODS... – although progressive elements and the occasional rough reminder of the Norwegians' harsh past are also regularly shimmering through the fabric of these songs. What sets "Otra" apart from the average heavy work of music is the excellence of composition that shows expert level experience and comes with a seeming ease that makes the achievement even greater. Lyrically, "Otra" revolves around stories connected to the eponymous river that winds for 245 kilometres through the South of Norway and spills into the Skagerrak, the strait that separates the country from Denmark and Sweden, at the band's home in Kristiansand.”

The album has seven songs, and “The Things You Shouldn’t Know” is first. The opening tones are fairly gentle, but what follows is nothing of the like…harsh vocal screams. From there, the music is melodic, but hardened, and follows the stream through the valley and into the mountains. It has an old school Prog vibe for me that is admittedly a bit odd. “A Misrepresentation of I” further solidifies the music as uncharacteristic for me. It has some more straightforward melodies, but the harsh vocals just seem a bit out of place for me, and the chord progressions don’t make a lot of sense either. “The Crimson Crown” is a bit more accessible but also has somber leanings. The harsh vocals make more sense here with the at times aggressive sound.

“The Kiss and the Lie” has another gentle opening sequence with clean, somber vocals. Again, the harsh vocals work better here due to the weighted music, and you also get a sense of the band’s strong musicianship. The clean passages have a folky quality to them. “Let Me Sing” has a slow pace with plenty of melancholy, and the vocals are sung low in the register, almost cold to the touch. The harsh vocals fall into place easily. “Come Ye Sinners” begins innocuously but segues into a much harder song. The clean vocals are cold again, but later peak with emotion, and the harsh vocals rage with anger. “The Wandering Diety” closes the album, a soft, gentle, and somber beginning, but the harsh vocals come in close to the half-way mark and leave a trail of smoke behind.

This was peculiar and particular album, and I believe that some of the songs will only appeal to a certain fan group, while other were a little more linear and accessible. I love almost all Progressive music, but this one was just a bit odd to me. However, I encourage you to check it out, as it might be something that you enjoy.